In our governmental capacity, we have taken significant steps toward raising the quality of life for our people. One of them is the housing campaign led by the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKİ).

Soon after we won the elections, we initiated a reorganization of TOKİ. Despite having been founded in 1984, the institution had remained dormant. We assigned it a new ole and mission in the transformation of the Turkey. This gave the public housing and urbanization policies in the country new direction under the auspices of the "social state". In particular, we aimed at reducing the impact on the country of social, economic, demographic and even geographic and even geographic problems stemming from unplanned and haphazard urbanization.

We realized that it was not going to be easy to accomplish these goals. In a country like Turkey, which has to deal with problems remaining from earlier trials and errors in urbanization and housing development, there are "urgent" measures that have to be taken. As indicated in our first "Emergency Action Plan", the need for housing for the poor and people with limited incomes had to be addressed immediately. In line with our short and long-term objectives, TOKİ examined models used in various countries and developed a unique course of action.

Accordingly, as TOKİ worked toward raising the standards of housing development and accelerating urban renewal, Turkey was transformed into a great construction site. I am happy to say that TOKİ has successfully assumed the leading role in the housing and urbanization projects carried out since 2003. It has gone into areas ignored by the private sector and created modern housing, complete with neighborhood amenities. TOKİ has thus contributed to an important increase in activity in both the construction sector and its ancillary sectors.

Through the projects undertaken by TOKİ, an exemplary "urban design" model is being brought to our provinces and townships. Its social projects have been particularly beneficial to low-income segments of society. By offering them convenient payment terms, they have access to housing they never would have considered possible. This has gone a long way to contributing to social stability.

The Housing Development Administration is engaiging in an urbanization and housing campaign that is reaching the remotest corners of the country. It is not simply building housing; it is also bringing about great change and transformation, trough which citizens who live far from the "center" are brougth fromthe "periphery" to the "center" in a way that allows them to remain where they allows them to remain where they are and thereby eliminates the need for migration. It is for the first time in the history of the "transformation of slums" is occouring on such a magnitude. Segments of society that previously had been on the margins, despite living there, are being reuited with the city.

These projects, which are changing the face of our cities, are crucial components of our government's "social restoration" policies. There is no doubt that TOKİ's projects have gone a long way in ensuring social balance and raising the living standards of our lower-income citizens. It is our goal to bring the "social state" to all segments of society and work to reduce poverty by employing all resources at our disposal.

I would like to congratulate all of the employees of TOKİ - an institution that has had a positive impact on the economy, both in terms of growth and stability, through the more than 340 thousand housing units it has built since 2003.

As all of these projects are laying the foundations for a bright future in Turkey, TOKİ's mission continues to be of utmost importance.

Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN
PRIME MINISTER