Here is the English translation of the provided text:
“I would like to begin my words by wishing peace, harmony, and prosperity to our country and the entire world in the new year we are currently experiencing. After the challenges, wars, destruction, and deaths we went through in the year 2012, I believe this wish is perhaps the most meaningful. As the importance of dialogue and empathy increases day by day in the world, it saddens us that these concepts and values seem to be losing their meaning among people. Despite all the pain and difficulties, we maintain our belief that peace and goodness will prevail in the world in the future. Our belief is strong that days of living together peacefully, friendly, and fraternally, where individual differences are seen as cultural richness, and mutual understanding and respect prevail, are not too far away. Our greatest desire is to see the end of the troubles in the region we live in and the days when people embrace each other with love.
Reflecting on the past year, we, as businessmen, must focus on our path ahead. In Laleli, we experienced a year full of ups and downs on a seasonal basis. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, political fluctuations significantly affected us throughout the process. We once again understood the importance of stability. While companies strive to sustain their existence, we witnessed global companies grappling with financial crises. In the evolving world, staying upright is perceived as equivalent to progress. The dynamo of our region, Europe, is no longer as powerful. The new players in Eurasia are becoming more influential in the coming period. While Turkey maintains its policy centered on Europe, it has strengthened and continues to strengthen its relations with these emerging markets. Our increased trade with Russia undoubtedly guides us for the future. As Turkish companies show interest in Russia, Russian companies have also started to increase their investments in Turkey. In this sense, Laleli will definitely be at the center of these investments. I can already announce to you that we will reap the fruits of this interest in the coming period.
As the LASİAD Board of Directors, we held a strategic conference in Sapanca during the month to evaluate the past year and determine our plans for 2013. I would like to express my gratitude once again to our esteemed president, Mr. Mustafa Demir, who never hesitated to show his interest and support for Laleli, participated in our conference, honored us, and motivated us. The sincere and realistic relations between LASİAD and Fatih Municipality deepened a little more on this occasion. We had a very productive meeting where we could express our expectations openly and listen to his thoughts. Our three-and-a-half-day strategic conference hosted very important discussions where significant ideas and plans for what LASİAD can do for Laleli in the future were formed and matured. I am confident that the decisions we made during brainstorming sessions will contribute significantly to Laleli in both the short and long term in a positive way. I believe that as long as we maintain our unity, Laleli will continue to be the shining star of the region and will contribute significantly to our country in every aspect.
With these wishes, I greet you and wish for peace and prosperity to our region and country in the new year.
Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca.”
