Economic Support From Britain To Turkey

ANKARA - Britain stated on Thursday that strongly supported the efforts Turkey has made to stabilize and reform the Turkish economy.
Releasing a statement, the British Embassy in Ankara gave information about statement of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Hon Jack Straw on Turkish economy.
In his statement, Straw said, ''Britain strongly supports the efforts Turkey has made to stabilize and reform the Turkish economy. These are important steps towards the eventual fulfillment of the Copenhagen economic criteria which the British Government is committed to helping Turkey meet.''
''We welcome the Turkish Government's prudent fiscal objectives. These, and the government's close co-operation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), underline the government's commitment to reform. These steps will, once fully implemented, further strengthen the Turkish economy,'' he added.
In a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul overnight, Straw requested Turkey to open its airspace to British planes.
(UK-AÖ) 20.03.2003