The statement, made by Capt. Mustafa Can, is as follows:
I stand before you as your brother who advocates that the managers of non-governmental organizations, even the ruling party, should not serve in a political formation and stay away from active politics. Since I started working as the vice chairman in charge of maritime affairs in the Zafer Partisi, which was founded 10 months ago and is the only political organization that included maritime in the party program, I have resigned from my duty as a member of the board of directors of the IMEAK Chamber of Shipping.
I would like to thank all my fellow seafarers, especially Tamer Kıran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Shipping, and Captain Salih Zeki Çakır, Chamber of Shipping’s Chairman of the Assembly.
Missions change, ages change, but our love for Turkish maritime never changes.
The main duty of all seafarers, from officers to oilmen, from shipowners to shipyard owners, is to raise Turkish maritime business.
The purpose of my transition to politics as the Zafer Partisi Deputy Chairman in charge of Maritime Affairs is to use the experience I have gained in almost every aspect of the maritime sector together with you at the state level that decides our future.
* While there is a Ministry of Maritime Affairs in all countries that know the importance of maritime, is it logical that the one we have had been closed?
* Is it fair that our sailors’ right to wear out was taken away by the AK Parti government in 2008?
* Is it normal for our students, who are the future officers we need to support, to knock on doors during their internship?
* Is it a national movement that our Turkish-owned ships, which show up in the global arena, have to switch to a foreign flag because the government does not provide any convenience?
* While we want Turkish seafarers to be able to work all over the world, is it right that insurance issues have not been settled on a healthy basis?
For years, we tried to explain our problems to bureaucrats who did not understand maritime. Now, as your brother who knows the problems, I took action to go to the point that will provide the solution.
As Turkish sailors, for the first time in many years, we have the advantage that we can solve our problems ourselves.
As Turkish sailors, for the first time in many years, we have the advantage that we can solve our problems ourselves.
Please make your rights halal, it is halal on my side.
God bless.
***Captain Mustafa Can was sent off by Tamer Kıran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping (DTO), Adnan Naiboğlu, Member of the Board of Directors, and Barış Türkmen, Member of the DTO Assembly.