Turkish shares hit record highs on EU hopes

ISTANBUL, Oct 7 (AFP) - Shares at the Turkish stock exchange hit an all-time high Thursday on hopes that the expected start of European Union accession talks with Turkey would help the country's fragile economy.
The national index of the Istanbul stock exchange gained 145 points, or 0.65 percent, to close the day at a record 22,432 points.
The index had already increased by 3.12 percent on Wednesday, after the European Commission recommended that the EU start accession talks with Turkey, saying the country had fulfilled the required democractic criteria.
EU leaders are to meet December 17 to make the final decision on whether to invite Ankara to the negotiating table.
Investors believe a favorable decision would be a huge boost for the Turkish economy, which is emerging from a severe financial crisis that began in 2001, and help the country attract vital foreign investment.
The previous record of the Istanbul stock exchange -- 22,307 points -- was set in late September when the Ankara government agreed to drop a plan to criminalize adultery, ending a week of crisis with the EU.