Babacan Touts Türkiye's Growth and Reform Record at Brussels Forum

Turkish State Minister and chief EU negotiator Ali Babacan joined EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn as speakers at the Brussels Economic Forum in May 2006.

Babacan highlighted four years of fiscal discipline that he said had produced steady, sustainable economic growth in Türkiye, pointing to export figures that had climbed to 72 billion dollars. He also cited substantial progress on political reforms, saying Türkiye was working to align with EU standards on human rights and democracy.

On the broader question of membership, Babacan called Türkiye's eventual EU accession "a turning point in the history of EU."

Rehn offered a measured response, noting that the enlargement process involves no automatic outcomes and that meeting required conditions remains central to any progress.

Following the forum, Babacan departed Brussels for London.

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