Erdogan: Turkey Successfully Fulfils Its Duty As A Bridge Between West And East

DUBAI - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey successfully fulfilled its duty as a bridge between west and East thanks to its Muslim and democratic society.
Speaking in the meeting of the Institute of International Finance, Erdogan said, ''as a European Union (EU) member in the near future, we will have the opportunity to fulfil our historic mission to contribute to regional stability more efficiently.''
Erdogan noted that Turkey was becoming a center of attraction of both Turkish and foreign investors thanks to economic policies and structural reforms in practice.
Holding the meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, had a special importance for international conjuncture, Erdogan said.
Erdogan emphasized importance of contributions to peace, stability and prosperity of the Middle East.
Winds of change were blowing from everywhere at the beginning of 21st century, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that dimensions of globalization affected from political decision-making mechanisms of countries and integration of economies continued rapidly.
''Economic interaction among countries had not only put national but also international obligations on developed and developing countries. I would like to stress Doha Development Agenda developed in World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings held at the end of 2001, which I consider a very important development in international trade. Unfortunately, a consensus could not be reached in the WTO ministerial meeting held in Cancun, Mexico last week. However, accomplishment of Doha Development Agenda is very important for increasing level of welfare of underdeveloped countries. I believe that measures to enable fair distribution of contributions of international free trade to countries will be put into practice as soon as possible,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that equal share of welfare would lay a strong foundation for decrease in political and ethnic conflicts and end of instability in the short and long term.
Pointing out that sensitivity about regional developments should be increased, Erdogan said that Turkey undertook more regional responsibility when its region was taken into consideration.
Erdogan noted that striking incidents which had occurred in international arena pointed out that regional instability should be overcome.
''Turkey fulfils its duties in this conjuncture and contributes to efforts for peace and stability. Turkey successfully fulfils its duty as a bridge between east and west thanks to its Muslim and democratic society. Besides political reforms, Turkey has recorded important progress in economic reform process. Turkey is in a very radical structural transformation process at the beginning of 21st century. None of them are cyber steps. We will have the opportunity to more efficiently fulfil our historic mission to contribute to regional stability as an EU member in the near future. We continue our efforts, political and economic reforms synchronically,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted, ''political adjustment packages covering radical political reforms as a part of harmony with EU acquis are being adopted by our parliament. Thus, we will fulfil legal requirements of Copenhagen political criteria. We also continue to implement comprehensive economic program for economic adjustment with the EU.''
The government's aim was to make Turkey a model for its region in economic stability, Erdogan added.

ERDOGAN: INTERNATIONAL FINANCE WORLD SHOULD NOT MISS OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE INVESTMENT POTENTIAL IN TURKEY
Erdogan said, ''macro economic figures in Turkey point out that we have started to bear fruit of our intensive efforts. Inflation rate was recorded as negative for the first time in our near history. It can be seen that we can easily reach 20 percent year-end inflation target. Also, we have recorded a successful growth rate. After 7 percent growth rate in 2002, all indicators confirm that the year-end growth rate of 5 percent will be easily reached. Domestic borrowing interest rates fell from 70 to 30 percent in a short time like six months.''
Stating that Turkish lira (TL) had gained value as confidence in economy had increased, Erdogan said that the net public debt stock was expected to fall to 70 percent by the end of the year.
Erdogan noted that the budgetary performances in January-August period had shown that Turkey would reach its 6.5 percent primary surplus target.
They would continue financial policy discipline in coming days to maintain the high growth rates, Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that all those developments were recorded as a result of the government's determination to implement the economic program.
The government put into practice very radical structural reforms to make the economic performance permanent, Erdogan pointed out.
Erdogan said that reforms were made in many fields from making Central Bank independent and restructuring agriculture sector.
Restructuring of banking sector continued and steps to make the social security system more robust were being taken, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan noted that the government had taken many new steps to make the public sector more efficient.
The government had started preparations to open telecommunication and energy sectors to competition and attached a special importance to development of private sector, Erdogan stressed.
Erdogan said that obstacles before entrepreneurs were being lifted and stated that bureaucratic procedures required for establishing a company were reduced from 19 to 3.
A company could be formed in one day in Turkey from now on, Erdogan emphasized.
Erdogan said that Foreign Capital Law entered into force in order to rehabilitate the investment environment.
Stating that there were no more differences between Turkish and foreign entrepreneurs in Turkey, Erdogan said that their efforts aimed to make Turkey a more prosperous country.
Noting that there was no doubt that Turkey, a country which would become EU member in near future, would offer serious opportunities for investors, Erdogan said that his and his government's duty was to restore confidence and stability and increase confidence in the country.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey was progressing on the road to its political and economic targets by being aware of its regional responsibilities.
Turkey's success would have a positive impact on all its region, Erdogan said.
Erdogan added, ''Turkey believes in the U.N. millenium development objectives. All sides, including international finance organizations should cooperate in creating a world where all these objectives are reached. IMF-World Bank annual meetings where international economic and financial developments are discussed create significant opportunities to increase cooperation. I wish this year's meetings will yield good outcome for the whole world.''
(BRC-AY) 21.09.2003