PRAGUE/ANKARA - Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan has said that a negative development regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should not be expected to happen.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent who asked about the seventh review of the economic program with the IMF, Unakitan said, ''it ends quite easily like it happened in the past. There is no need to worry.''
Noting that he had held meetings with EU Commission officials in Prague, Czech Republic, Unakitan said, ''when they start talking, all of them name Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey among the countries to join the bloc. We altogether will see what is going to happen, of course.''
Asked whether prices of cigarettes would increase after the increase in special consumption tax, Unakitan said, ''we increased tax rates. Will both the private sector and TEKEL (Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Salt and Alcohol Enterprises) increase the prices of cigarettes? It depends on their sales policy.''
Stressing that cigarette prices in Europe were very high, Unakitan added, ''Turkey is one of the cheap countries in terms of prices of cigarettes. It is hazardous to health. However, we can't advise people to give up smoking. We warn our citizens by increasing taxes.''
(MS-AÖ) 01.03.2004