NEW YORK, Jan 16 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday that Turkey made significant contribution to maintenance of peace and stability in its region.
Ecevit's article was published in New York Times daily of the United States upon Ecevit's visit to this country.
In his article, Ecevit called on foreign investors to invest in Turkey and said that it was the time to invest in Turkey.
Ecevit said that besides taking part in initiatives to establish peace in the Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East, Turkey had serious contributions in fight against terrorism and restructuring of Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Ecevit noted that Turkey had cooperation with its strategic partner the United States in such regional issues.
Ecevit stressed that some economic problems that Turkey was currently facing were a temporary situation and said that Turkish economy was sound and strong. He noted that this was proved during the Asian crisis.
Reform process in political and economic fields would have a positive impact on economic development of Turkey, Ecevit said.
Ecevit noted that Turkey would become an economic power by itself in coming years and said that Turkey was vey close to 70 percent of energy sources in the world.
Pipelines which would carry Caspian oil to western markets would pass through Turkey, Ecevit stated.
Ecevit pointed out that those developments gave the opportunity to Turkey to have a role in peace, stability and welfare of Eurasia.
Noting that he would like to give a message to foreign investors, Ecevit said that it was the time to make investments in Turkey.
Ecevit said that investments who would enter into Turkey market and who would make use of Turkey's central position would be awarded.
Expectations about future of Turkey were better than ever, Ecevit stated.
Ecevit noted that Turkey would have a key role in global problems thanks to its respect to democracy and rule of law.
Turkey would continue to work together with its friends and allies to create a better world for the forthcoming generations, Ecevit added.
Meanwhile, an article of State Minister Kemal Dervis was also published in the Turkey addition of New York Times.
Dervis pointed out in his article that financial policy arrangements and structural reforms brought stability and growth.
State Minister Dervis said that besides a smaller but more efficient state, growth would be ensured by private investments and a transparent market economy open to whole world.
Dervis stressed that the increase in Gross National Product (GNP) was expected to be 3 percent in 2002 and listed the advantages of the banking reform.
State Minister Dervis drew the attention that new telecom and energy market laws had been passed.
Dervis stated that bureaucratic hurdles were lifted for the investors and noted that a Promotion Office would be set up and privatization would be accelerated.
They were ready to work together with investors for a more lively economy.