Dervis: Turkey's Successful Foreign Policy And Its Strong Economic Program Helped It Overcome The Economic Crisis

OXFORD, March 7 (A.A) - State Minister Kemal Dervis has said that Turkey's successful foreign policy following Sept.11 attacks and the strong economic program helped it overcome the economic crisis.
Dervis addressed to academicians and students at the historical building of Oxford University in Britain on Thursday.
Dervis said that like everywhere in the world, the economic crisis had a high cost for Turkey as well as certain positive effects. He explained that economies which can survive such crises usually become stronger after those periods.
Dervis said that the Turkish economy did well in 1980s but then the high inflation became chronical in 1990s. Dervis indicated that the economic program which was put into practice in 2000 was a good program but the economy was not strong enough because of lack of discipline in monetary policies.
Dervis said that Turkey realized all the structural reforms that were the basic elements of the program but this was interrupted by the consequences of tragic Sept.11 attacks. ''The results of all those efforts were under risk. Nobody could see the future. That's why Turkey asked more support from the IMF,'' he said.
Dervis said that Turkish economy started giving the first indications of recovery last October.
''Turkey's successful foreign policy and its cooperation in the international fight against terrorism were important elements,'' he continued. ''Another element was implementing a strong economic program. Without one of these, Turkey could have been destroyed like Argentina.''
Dervis said that the structural changes were very radical. ''Many things were accomplished in a very short time. Because the society was ready for it. This wasn't a sudden magical change. The reformists had already started the preparations long before.''
Dervis said that the young population supported these radical changes and the wish to integrate with Europe was the basis of this support. He added that Turkish people believed that these reforms were a must in order to join the EU.
''There's no chance that Turkey could return to the crisis in 2001. I believe that Turkey left this risk behind,'' he said.
''The next ten years will be much better. Turkey's EU membership is very important. Turkish people want to become a member of the European family,'' Dervis said.
Dervis will attend a meeting held by the Brisith Industrialists and Businessmen Confederation in London on Friday. He is expected to leave Britain on Sunday.