Erdogan visits TUSIAD, TOUTS recent positive economic development

Touching on Turkish-US relations, he said that he thought Washington favored renewed cooperation if Ankara takes a clear, determined stand in the Middle East region. “I think that from now on, in Turkish-US relations, the ball is in Ankara’s court,” said Ozilhan, who recently visited the US. “If Ankara’s stance is resolute, then the US will be happy to cooperate with us.” He cited the appreciation of the lira and falls in interest rates and inflation as positive economic developments adding, however, that it was too early to say that the economy was completely out of the woods. Later, touching on Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Ozilhan said that the sixth EU harmonization package and the National Program were both necessary steps for making progress on the nation’s EU bid. “We sincerely believe that Parliament will vote on the EU reform package in full knowledge that these reforms enjoy public support,” he said. “Improvement depends on structural reforms rather than short-time financial moves.” The TUSIAD chairman warned that any concessions from budget discipline in anticipation of local elections next spring might endanger the future of both Turkey and its AKP administration.