ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ``we will launch a campaign to introduce new Turkish lira (YTL) across the country in the coming days.``
Speaking in the promotional meeting for the YTL on Thursday, Erdogan said that the new TL and current TL will be circulated jointly during 2005.
Erdogan noted that new TL would go into circulation on January 1st, 2005, stating that this reform was a concrete sign of Turkish government`s will to bring economic stability to Turkey.
Noting that Central Bank completed printing of 1, 5, 20 and 50 YTL banknotes and continued printing of 10 and 100 YTL banknotes, Erdogan said that 1,200 million coins would be issued until December 31st, 2004.
Answering a question, Erdogan said, ``we made public our decision regarding the stand-by deal with International Monetary Fund (IMF).``
``Postponement of debts will be discussed during meetings with IMF. What will happen in coming months will emerge after talks with IMF,`` added Erdogan.
Erdogan said, ``talks on new stand-by agreement with IMF will be completed before the end of 2004.``
``When we reach consensus after talks with IMF, a new process will start. There will not be any problem.``
When asked whether budget surplus target of 6.5 percent be reduced, Erdogan said, ``this issue will be discussed with IMF. If we convince them, there will be a reduction. If they convince us, we will do what they say.``
(EÖ-GC-ULG) 16.09.2004