BERLIN - State Minister Ali Babacan for the Economy said on Wednesday that the government had great political will about Turkey's European Union (EU) membership.
Babacan attended the World Bank's subsidiary company International Finance Corporation (IFC) meeting in Berlin, Germany and delivered a speech on developments in Turkey.
Noting that EU membership perspective would bring great norms and standards to Turkey, Babacan said, ''the EU path significantly consolidates the democracy, human rights and economy in Turkey. We will fulfil the Copenhagen criteria by the end of the year, and we will have them implemented in 2004.''
Stressing that EU membership was very important for Turkey, Babacan said, ''we have made great reforms in Turkey. EU membership will guarantee these reforms. Turkey will further develop itself.''
Stating that they believed Turkey's EU membership would also bring peace to Middle East, Babacan said that they would finalize necessary reforms as soon as possible.
Recalling that also political stability was prevailed after single party had come to the power, Babacan said, ''we have achieved success in our fight against inflation. This positive development continues. Statistics in 2003 are good despite the Iraq war.''
Explaining reforms in banking field in Turkey, Babacan said, ''we have privatized most of the banks. Banking has become a more healthy sector.''
Noting that they had been expending intense efforts regarding privatization, Babacan said, ''now we offer same conditions to foreign companies as Turkish companies. A foreign company can now start operating in Turkey just in one day.''
Touching on global developments that had happened after September 11 terrorist attacks, Babacan said, ''there was war in Afghanistan and later in Iraq. There is global terrorism threat. So also the role of international organizations has changed. They have to closely follow global developments.''
Meanwhile, Babacan also attended the IFC Board meeting and informed its members on latest economic developments and figures in Turkey.
(MS-Öª) 04.06.2003