LONDON - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Friday that the European Union (EU) would be an anchor to be cast in order to make progress recorded by Turkey be unreturnable developments.
Speaking in a conference on capital markets and investments in Turkey organized by foreign investors and finance circles by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in London, Babacan emphasized that general election held in Turkey last November was a new period and a reform process for Turkey and the government brought a new concept to Turkish politics.
Babacan said that the government defined itself as ''conservative-democrat'' excluding all known political definitions and it was a new concept not only for Turkey but also for the region.
The government believed in the necessity of a democracy operating well, Babacan stated.
Babacan said that the government has majority in parliament but despite that, it did not act with that power and absolute majority.
He noted that the government learned views of other political parties and non-governmental organizations when taking important steps.
The government tried to reach consensus in every stage and brought a different and new approach to Turkish politics, Babacan pointed out.
Announcing their conservative understanding, Babacan said, ''this doesn't have anything to do with being a religious party. We favor a perfect secularism.''
Stressing importance of political stability, Babacan said that Turkey was ruled by coalition governments for years and therefore, the last decade could be considered a loss.
Babacan said, ''our understanding of democracy and approach are the most important reason of political stability ensured today. This stability will also continue in the medium and long term.''
State Minister Babacan underlined determination of government to become EU full member.
Babacan said that adjustment packages passed in Turkey met political criteria at great extent and steps in implementation of the packages had been taken.
''We believe in universal goals around which the EU has gathered. Becoming a member two years before or after is not important. What is important is to be in the process in the light of these developments,'' Babacan said.
Babacan noted that Turkey could be a model for regions like Middle East, Central Asia and Caucasus and it also had key importance for regional stability.
''Our democratic quality has reached the level of EU democratic quality. EU process will show that reforms are unreturnable,'' Babacan said.
Babacan stated that inflation rate started to decrease and Turkey reached the primary surplus target.
The government assumed a determined growth policy, Babacan said.
Babacan noted that the inflation rate in Turkey would be equal to that in EU member countries in three or four years and the inflation problem would relegate to the pages of history.
Efforts to create the most ideal environment for foreign investors continued, Babacan pointed out.
Babacan said that they tried to make Turkey a country open to investors as much as possible.
Replying to a question, Babacan said that they had not yet decided how relations with International Monetary Fund (IMF) would continue after 2004.
Babacan noted that there were different alternatives and the government would review the alternatives as of mid-2004.
Upon a question on erasing zeroes from Turkish lira (TL), Babacan recalled that the issue was under discussion for two or three months and added that they would try to put the project into practice as of the beginning of 2005.
(BRC-AY) 10.10.2003