ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that, ''when we look at Ecevit period since 1998, it is evident what Turkey had been in 1998, and what is Turkey at the moment.''
Erdogan received Sinan Aygun, the Chairman of Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) at AK Party Headquarters.
Erdogan spoke to journalists following the meeting.
When reminded the statements of Prime Minister Ecevit, Erdogan said, ''we don't take into consideration such statements of Ecevit who is the owner of such a picture.''
When asked if there was a concern regarded with usage of the authorities with others, Erdogan said, ''is it necessary for me to explain this in detail? You are people who have common sense. I put forward the principle. This is a principle of democracy, not mine. Revelation of national will can not be shared with others in democratic countries. Whoever is given the assignment, he can use this authority.''
Erdogan said revelation of the national will was delivered to AK Party, stressing that, ''we don't share this administration with anybody at the stage of the national will. However, we will discuss it with NGOs, opposition and the universities at the stage of negotiation.''
Responding to a question if there would be any changes in supreme boards, Erdogan said, ''of course, structurings will take place regarded with the boards. We will make changes at places which cause damage for our economy. We will make savings at public expenses.''
Erdogan said there was a cost which the formed institutions and boards caused the country to pay, ''we don't make our people to pay this cost. For example, the banks that were transferred to Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF). They costed 22 billion U.S. dollars to the country. Have they gained profit after being transferred to the Fund? No, the loses continue. We should save the country from the loses. Nobody has the right to make people pay this cost. It should be re-structured, however it should have a timetable. We are looking for a way to win. Be patient for sometime.''
Meanwhile, ATO Chairman Sinan Aygun gave ''Forum to Monitor Government'' and a document showing current economic situation of Turkey to Erdogan.
Responding to a question about the holiday resorts, lodgings and vehicles of the public, Erdogan said, ''reduction of number of holiday resorts and social facilities to Parliament's personnel is in question. I said we are resolved to this end. You will see that there will be savings in public expenses. There will not be decrease in performance while doing this. On the contrary, there will be a change toward the positive.''