LONDON - ''Dynamism and expectations of Turkish people constituted the pushing force behind Turkey's policies,'' Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said in London on Monday and gave the message to the foreign entrepreneurs that those who invest in Turkey would benefit.
Gul, who is currently on a four-day visit to London, made a speech to foreign investors and bankers at a luncheon hosted by Bloomberg organization.
The thema of Gul's speech was ''Turkey: A Secure Haven in Europe for Your Investments''.
Recalling that his government was trying to provide high level political, economic, and social standards to Turkish people, Gul said the outcome would be better, day after day, thanks to the stability and peace in the region.
Gul said Turkey defended universal values like democracy, supremacy of law, good administration, human rights and economic opportunities in its region, and stressed that Turkey also send the message to the peoples of the region that the renovations brought by globalization could only be adopted by democratic societies.
Pointing out that Turkey was an example demonstrating that democracy may develop within all societies without discrimination of religion or ethnic roots, Gul said, Turkey's integration with the West has a positive outcome.
-PUBLIC SUPPORT TO EU PROCESS-
Stressing that Turkish people supported EU membership process, Gul said this enabled the government to implement a comprehensive and successful reform process. He said there was a healthy discussion atmosphere in Turkey pertaining to EU membership process. ''As Turkey's membership process progresses, the contribution which Turkey may bring to the EU becomes more and more important,'' Gul said his government exerted efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem adding that this was based on a win-win policy. Stressing that Turkey was aware of the regional and global risks and make steps when necessary to preserve freedoms and democracy, Gul said, ''Turkey is an element of stability in its region.''
Pointing to the big economic potential of Turkey, Gul said Turkey has a 70 million-strong young population and that this provide a very big human resource.
''Turkey is about to become an important energy terminal and a safe road to transport energy of the Middle East and Caspian (to the West),'' Gul said.
Pointing to the numeral magnitude of Turkish economy, Gul said Turkey had been fighting with high inflation, growing public debts and high interest rates when Justice & Development Party (AKP) came to power. ''We have taken urgent measures, provided budget discipline, make necessary legal amendments and reforms,'' Gul said, stating that a different Turkey will emerge following two-year of hard working.
-INVITATION TO FOREIGN INVESTORS-
Gul said private sector was considered as the engine of Turkish economy, and noted that they (the government) privatized some key sectors of the economy, including telecommunications, energy, oil refineries, Petrochemical Industry (Petkim), Turkish Airlines (THY), Turk Telekom, tobacco section of Tekel and many other small scale institutions.
Stressing that Turkey had difficulty to attract direct foreign investments, Gul said, ''currently, there is an appropriate investment atmosphere in Turkey. Bureaucracy has been reduced and conditions facilitating the work of foreign investors are in place.''
Gul stated that there was no doubt that cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would also be maintained.
Regarding Turkey's aspirations for EU membership, Gul described the decision (of the EU Council to start negotiations) as ''extremely wise and historic''.
-MUTUAL BENEFIT-
Stating that Turkey was an important player in fight against global terrorism and organized crime Gul stressed that both parties would benefit from Turkey's EU membership. Gul also expressed willingness to improve bilateral relations with Britain.