Ordu

President Abdullah Gül, paid a domestic visit to the northern city of Ordu. The President, on his way to the city, dropped by the counties of Ünye and Fatsa in both of which he enjoyed great enthusiasm from the citizens. He further visited the Governorate, in front of which he addressed the crowd waiting for him. Evincing his pleasure that he is the first president in more than 3 decades to pay a domestic visit to Ordu, President Gül also visited the City Hall, Garrison Command and Ordu University as part of his program in the city.

President Abdullah Gül, paid a domestic visit to the northern city of Ordu.

President Gül, on the first leg of his program, came by the county of Ünye, where he was welcomed with roses-his surname, Gül, means rose in Turkish.

ÜNYE’S BEAUTIES

Ünye, the President said, has raised important scholars, politicians and authors throughout its history and pointed to the historic mansions, houses, architecture and natural beauties of the county.

GÜL IN THE COUNTY OF FATSA

Proceeding to the county of Fatsa afterwards, President Gül also enjoyed great interest from the people there. He shared his happiness to visit the county for the firs time as president and underscored that it has considerably developed since he last visited the county as an MP years ago.

THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN MORE THAN 3 DECADES TO VISIT ORDU

The President later visited the Governorate of Ordu, where he was welcomed with cheers and jubilation. During his address to the citizens waiting for him in front of the Governorate, President Gül drew attention to the fact that his visit to the city is the first one by a president in more than 3 decades and offered his thanks to these people for showing this great interest and enthusiasm.

Ordu, he said, is one of Turkey’s most beautiful cities and noted that it has produced many scholars, statesmen, authors and artists. The interest shown to me is a demonstration of the love our citizens have for the state, he said.

52.000 SAPLINGS PLANTED

Governor Kenan Çiftçi informed President Gül that the Governorate planted 52.000 saplings in the city and in the surrounding counties to mark the President’s visit to the city and said they named Ordu’s biggest walnut orchard after President Abdullah Gül.

The President performed the Friday Prayer at Orta Mosque and chatted with citizens afterwards.

Walking to the City Hall, President Gül was informed by Mayor Seyit Torun about the activities of the Municipality. The President, during his speech in the Mayor’s office, pointed to the importance that mayors should have the necessary vision to beautify cities and to improve their infrastructure.

HANDMADE CANE GIVEN AS GIFT TO THE PRESIDENT

An 86-year-old citizen, waiting for the President in front of the municipality, presented a hand made walking stick to President Gül and asked him to give it to the President’s father.

President Gül, after having lunch in Boztepe, chatted with the members of the Boztepe Paragliding Sports Club and watched some of the athletes paragliding.

Having a short conversation with children in traditional dress, President Gül was informed about the local fruits including nuts, kiwis and strawberries grown in Ordu. He later visited an exhibition entitled “Elbow Grease in Hazel Nut Production”.

VISIT TO THE GENDARMERIE COMMAND

Afterwards, President Gül visited the Gendarmerie Command and the Sanset Food Sagra Factory.

GÜL AT ORDU UNIVERSITY

President Gül, as part of his program in the city of Ordu, paid a visit to Ordu University, where the academic staff and students welcomed him with applause.

The President, referring to the more than 180 universities in the country, said the government has allocated the biggest budget to education and underscored the importance of the integration of the university with the city. Universities, he stressed, are serving as the locomotives for development and cultural life of the cities where they are located.

DINNER WITH CITIZENS

President Gül had dinner with families of martyrs, war veterans, government officials, NGO representatives and businessmen. Offering his thanks to the people of Ordu for their great interest and love, President Gül expressed his happiness to be with them and pointed out that the people of Ordu enjoy a great solidarity, urging them to keep this union and solidarity and to cherish the value of Turkey.