Istanbul Stock Exchange Hits Record Highs On Verheugen Comments

ISTANBUL, Sept 8 (AFP) - The Istanbul Stock Exchange`s IMKB Composite Index hit record highs two days running Tuesday and Wednesday on favorable comments by EU Commissioner Gunther Verheugen on Turkey`s chances of access to the European Union.
The index gained more than 600 points in two days, closing Wednesday at 21,468.27, up 349.11 from the previous record, set Tuesday, of 21,119 points, up 267.60 on Monday`s close.
During his four-day tour of Turkey, Verheugen repeatedly said he was impressed by the progress Turkey had achieved in political reforms, although problems remained in their implementation.
His visit comes ahead of a report due in October that will consistute the basis of a decision by European leaders at a summit in December on whether to launch membership talks with Turkey, which has been an official candidate to the EU since 1999.