ANKARA - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Friday that they had observed that economic program of the government conformed with policies and programs proposed by the World Bank regarding Turkey.
Babacan hosted a dinner in honour of World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn and an accompanying delegation.
Following the dinner, Babacan told reporters that the World Bank had financed very important projects in Turkey for a long time and that Linn would be in Turkey for one or two more days.
Babacan said that they had a detailed meeting with Linn about economic policies of the government.
They stressed importance of structural reform process, Babacan noted. He said that they especially confirmed their determination about financial discipline and non-interest surplus target of 6.5 percent.
Stating that World Bank was dealing with many issues in Turkey, Babacan said that contacts with the World Bank would continue in the following term.
Noting that there were some contracts, the loan conditions of which had not been completed due to election period, Babacan said, ''they will take up possible time when loan conditions will be fulfilled.''
Babacan stated that those contacts would start within one or two weeks.
Pointing out that the economic program would give importance to social aspects, Babacan said that he was pleased to see will of the World Bank to support social projects.
Babacan said that they agreed to start work on country assistance strategy covering the coming three years at the end of February and they expected to finalize the work by the end of March.
State Minister Babacan said that he thought they would have fruitful work with the World Bank from now on.
Asked if a loan to Turkey due to a possible war on Iraq came onto the agenda, Babacan said that Iraqi issue did not come onto the agenda during their contacts with IMF and World Bank.
Babacan said, ''Iraqi issue will be totally kept out of our work and agreements with the two organizations. As you know, we are having meetings with the U.S. Treasury regarding Iraqi issue. But, the government has not made a decision about this issue yet. We will hold further contacts with the U.S. Treasury after taking certain concrete decisions in the future.''