Turkey's trade its own concern, says Turkish PM

By Sena Guler and Sorwar Alam

ANKARA

Turkey’s trade with other countries is its own concern, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Turkey Economy Summit in Istanbul, Yildirim said Turkey achieved a growth record in 2017, and added that the country would continue to develop and grow its economy in 2018 by taking necessary precautions.

“Foreign direct investment in the first nine months was $7.5 million in Turkey. Our year-end growth will be six percent at least,” he said, adding that Turkey continues to be a safe place for international investors.

“In the last 10 years, Turkey has kept growing despite the global crisis,” he said.

He also mentioned mega projects of the country, including the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Marmaray Tunnel, Eurasia Tunnel, and the world’s largest airport -- all in Istanbul -- as well as the Gulf of Izmit’s Osmangazi Bridge and the Izmir highway.

He said Turkey would continue to produce more such projects with proper planning, suitable projects and robust financing models.

“Current economic fluctuations are temporary and can be resolved,” Yildirim said.

He added the Turkish economy needs “some foreign currencies”, but all economic indicators in Turkey showed this would never be a cause for an economic crisis.

About the lawsuits against some Turkish citizens in the U.S., he said all such cases were based on “groundless rumors and lies”.

“Till today, Turkey has not processed anything against domestic and international laws in its trade and exports,” he said.

He said any attempt to put Turkey’s economy and finance sector in hardship through allegations would be in vain.

“Turkish trade with other countries is concerned only with Turkey… In this regard, our country does not need to take approval from anyone,” the premier said.

“Some countries can easily do business with a country on which they put embargoes, but when Turkey does business [with the same country] it is considered guilty. Recently, the U.S. made a deal with Iran for selling aircraft, an agreement in principle.

“And then they accuse Turkey of breaking the blockade. Where is law and where is justice?”