ANKARA - Kemal Nehrozoglu, Secretary General of the Presidency, has announced that the presidential budget proposal for 2005 is 31,253,000 New Turkish Liras (one new TL equals 1 m actual liras). ''While preparing the budget proposal, we have given special attention to the economic status Turkey is in and the stability program,'' said Nehrozoglu. The 2005 budget is about 4.18 percent bigger than the one in 2003.
According to Nehrozoglu, the Presidency will not purchase any new vehicles during 2005. A small portion of the Presidential budget will be used in restoring and re-decorating Ataturk's first residence in Cankaya.
Meanwhile, at the Turkish Parliament, parliament speaker Bulent Arinc has declared the proposed budget for 2005 as 283,275,000 New Turkish Liras. ''We try to be very sensitive while using public funds,'' stated Arinc.
The Turkish Parliament Plan & Budget Commission has begun discussions on the budgets of the Presidency, Parliament, Turkish Court of Accounts and Radio & Television High Council.
(ES-ULG)) 02.11.2004