Turkish Finance Minister: I Have Seen A Big Optimism In Investors Regarding Turkey's Eu Membership

LONDON - Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, who held meetings with foreign investors in London, said on Friday that he has seen a big optimism in investors regarding Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU).
Unakitan, who met with a group of investors, replied to questions of A.A correspondent. Noting that he has come to London to attend meetings which was held by Morgan Stanley, Unakitan said that he has seen a more positive approach in investors this time when compared with his previous visits.
Noting that he had the chance to see that investors were very impressed with the good performance which Turkey has shown in recent months, Unakitan said that the interest that investors showed proved the positive results of positive implementations. He added that he has seen an optimism in investors regarding Turkey's EU membership and similarly developments about Cyprus issue had a positive role on investors. He said, ''closing to solution in Cyprus issue has a very positive role on investors.''
Unakitan said that all those factors caused increase of interest in Turkey and he added that this would have positive effects and contributions to privatization.
Noting that investors have asked very different questions regarding privatization when compared with past, Unakitan said, ''in the past, when we came here, investors were asking suspicious questions to us such as 'will Turkey really make privatization?', 'Will the things and economic targets which the government promised be fulfilled?' They had all these questions in their minds. Now all of these questions disappeared and left their place to questions directly about the privatization in Turkey. I am very pleased about this.''
Upon a question whether Turkey would succeed in reaching the economic targets which were set for 2004, Unakitan said, ''We have reached all targets for 2003 greatly. The growth rates which were announced recently are over the expected figures. Thus, view towards Turkey has changed.''
Noting that they have started activities to reach targets for 2004 and they began to take results of the first quarter of the year, Unakitan said, ''Turkey continues activities similarly. There is no need for lassitude. We will reach our targets.''
Unakitan will meet with investors in a meeting which is organized by famous finance institution Morgan Stanley in London.
(GC-AÖ) 02.04.2004