WASHINGTON - ''We are expecting Turkey to break record in growth rate not only in country scale but also in world scale,'' said Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan on Friday.
Babacan, who is currently in Washington to attend fall session meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, delivered a speech on Turkish economy and replied questions of participants at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Babacan said that Turkey has a growth rate of 2 percent in the past 10 years, but this amount increased to 5 percent last year. He added, ''we are expecting this amount to exceed 5 percent in 2004.''
Noting, ''70 percent of Turkish people wanted the European Union (EU) membership for human rights and democratization besides economic reasons,'' Babacan said, ''this shows that people gained the understanding of EU values more.''
''Political criteria for the EU are nearly completed and the key point is the implementation of these reforms. We are very positive towards starting talks with the EU and we are exerting efforts against any excuse. Turkey will be a ''growth engine'' for the EU by bringing diversity and young population within the EU,'' said Babacan.
Babacan also informed participants about economic program which will be presented to the EU on December 1st.
Babacan said, ''this economic program was prepared without taking into consideration the EU funds. Regardless of the decision about the EU membership, we will implement this economic program. I say this to stress our determination about EU issue.''
Babacan noted that the key point of the program will be structural reforms.
''We have started Stand-by talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to bring international support and credibility to the program. Stand-by deal will be based on three-year economic program which Turkey will present to the EU until December 1st,'' said Babacan.
Upon a question about economic relations between Turkey and Iraq, Babacan said, ''Iraq is our neighbor and it has a great potential. When stability is restored in Iraq, a great progress will be made in economic relations.''
(GC-AY) 02.10.2004