WASHINGTON, D.C. - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler has said that he congratulated Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Turkey's good economic performance in 2003 with its sound growth, low inflation rate and low interest rates.
Erdogan and Koehler had a meeting on Wednesday which lasted for about an hour and 15 minutes.
Following the meeting, Koehler said that Erdogan was a very good leader and stated that he had a very good meeting with Erdogan.
Noting that sound growth, low inflation rate and low interest rates were fulfilled in Turkey in 2003, Koehler said that it was the product of successful work of Turkish economy team.
When asked whether or not IMF delegation would return to Turkey for the seventh review after the Feast of Sacrifice, Koehler said that they were ready to go to Turkey as quickly as possible and noted that but the government should decide what to do. Koehler added that IMF delegation could go to Turkey and hold constructive and productive meetings.
Asked whether or not the seventh review should be carried out after local elections, Koehler said that it was early to say whether it would be before or after elections, but adding that they wanted to see it before elections. He said that it depended on talks.
Koehler said that they expected Turkey to maintain its successful program and economy policies, adding that continuation of the program would mean more employment and lower interest rates.
Koehler said that Prime Minister Erdogan had proved his determination to maintain financial discipline policy, adding that decreasing inflation rates and interest rates were the results of the program.
Noting that they had also referred to policies about banking sector, Koehler told reporters said that there was a delay in rebuilding process of banking sector due to unpaid credits.
When asked whether or not program would be extended after Turkey's completing the IMF program, Koehler said that there was no need to hold meetings to this end.
Reminding that the seventh review process had been continuing, Koehler said that there were still some steps to be taken by Turkey.
Pointing out that his meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan had encouraged him, Koehler refrained from responding a question about conditions to be fulfilled by Turkey.
Koehler added that the most important thing was not the extension of the program, but Turkey's deepening its serious economic policies.
(EÖ-UK-AÖ) 29.01.2004