Babacan Pledges Fiscal Discipline, Eyes IMF Review After Washington Meetings

Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan affirmed on private ATV television that Türkiye's economic course would remain unchanged, with budgetary discipline, monetary policy, and the floating exchange rate all kept in place.

Babacan described Türkiye as the world's second-fastest growing economy after China, and said both foreign capital inflows and the current account deficit would persist. He cited rising global oil prices as a key factor widening that deficit.

On inflation, the minister acknowledged that figures would move up and down throughout the year but said early 2006 readings had fallen within anticipated ranges. He called the year-end inflation target achievable.

Regarding the International Monetary Fund, Babacan said Türkiye planned to invite IMF specialists for a third review once the IMF-World Bank spring meetings in Washington concluded on 23 April. He noted that IMF officials were already in the country helping prepare for that review.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in April 2006, in its own words.