ANKARA - "98 percent of Turkish farmers pay back debts on time," Turkish State Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan said on Wednesday.
Babacan answered questions of the press corps after elaborating on the activities of Ziraat Bankasi of Turkey in the past four years.
Ali Babacan indicated that the privatization efforts of the administration will continue.
Babacan stressed that it is important to provide all necessary means to state banks so that they can compete with private banks in a just atmosphere.
He underlined that there is no final decision or time table on the possible privatization of the Ziraat Bankasi.
Babacan added that the administration is searching for a convenient land in Istanbul where the headquarters of the Ziraat Bankasi may be moved.