Gul: Economy Is Number One Priority Of Both Government And Party

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that economy is the number one priority of both the government and the party, adding that ''we will definitely decrease the debt burden of public sector, the government is resolved to decrease the interest rates.''
Addressing a parliamentary group meeting of his party, Gul said that economic issues seemed to loose their priority due to intensive foreign trade agenda, stressing that this is not the case. ''We never forget that the main issue is economy,'' said Gul.
Noting that serious foreign trade issues were on the table when the government came to power, Gul said that the nation suffered significantly from economic crisis and it is the mission of the government to end these difficulties and to upgrade the living standards.
Gul said that the economic policies of his party are clear, adding that they will continue to decrease the inflation as the target of the government is to reduce the inflation to one-digit number.
Gul also referred to the importance of economic growth and employment increase, adding that the government aims to increase employment in a stable way.
Prime Minister Gul stated that the government will definitely decrease the debt burden of the public sector as this is necessary for decreasing inflation, ensuring economic growth and employment. If this is the case, interest rates will reduce, Gul said and noted that all sections of the society complain about interest rates.
''The government is resolved to decrease the interests and it will do the necessary things to achieve that,'' said Gul noting that the 2003 budget will be prepared in a transparent way.
Referring to the injustice in distribution of income, Gul said that everybody suffers from that.