PARIS - State Minister for Economy Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that the government gained important success on political and macro-economic stability. He said the next target was to strengthen investments.
Babacan held a news conference for Turkish journalists following completion of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Council of Ministers.
Babacan said the government, which recorded an important progress in fulfilling the macro-economic targets, will from now on focus on increase of investments, tax reform, and lifting of bureaucratic obstacles in front of economy.
Stating that they attributed importance to attracting foreign investments in Turkey, Babacan said, ''political and economic stability are the most important elements for foreign investment.''
Responding to a question Babacan said privatization could not be fulfilled necessarily in the past periods due to lack of political will.
Meanwhile, Babacan met with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Responsible fore Industry and Trade Ehud Olmert who participated in OECD meetings as observer.
Babacan and Olmert discussed economic relations, and Babacan said they wanted to see more Israeli investors in Turkey.
Stating that investments from Israel to Turkey were low, Babacan called on reciprocal investments to be increased.
Babacan also met Belgian Agriculture and Industry Minister Annemie Neyst-Uyttebroeck, and Swedish Economy Minister Gunnar Land.
Turkish-EU relations were primarily taken up during the talks with Belgian and Swedish ministers.
Babacan is expected to return to Turkey on Wednesday.
(AY-AÖ) 30.04.2003