Erdogan targets Turkey's 'opponents' in Istanbul speech
Politics |
Prime Minister rounds on media and groups 'looking for chaos' during speech to Turkish exporters.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rounded on media organizations and those who he said were trying to block Turkey's progress, during a speech in Istanbul. Speaking at the Turkish Importers Assembly on Saturday, he said: "Media organizations never reflect realities, but always try to manipulate a situation to mislead public opinion. All elections since 2002 were hard tests for Turkey's economy.
"Interest lobbies, marginal organizations and some media organizations are looking for chaos to satisfy their appetite." He said: "Whenever Turkey has been harmed by terrorism and unrest, certain pillars of power and interest lobbies have added to their gains."
- 'Heavy losses'
Referring to the coverage of the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul over the summer of 2013, he said the incidents had "inflicted heavy economic losses on Turkey's hardworking people".
"Interest rates rose due to Gezi Park incidents and went up to 12 percent, but now it has receded to 8 percent levels," he said.
The protests, which began on 31 May last year as a small environmental demonstration, turned into nationwide demonstrations. The demonstrations erupted after the government moved to implement a redevelopment plan for nearby Taksim Square, which allegedly included replacing part of Gezi Park with a shopping mall.
- 'Progressive and growing'
Praising the 5.8 percent rise in exports in Turkey in May - the highest in the history of the Republic - Erdogan said: "We are proud of the performance of our exporters and manufacturers who have set this record despite global economic crisis, and Turkey is now generating know-how alongside its imports and exports."
He said that some groups had tried to stop and delay the construction of the Marmaray project - the undersea subway tube in Istanbul - a third hanging bridge over the Bosphorous for which the ground breaking ceremony is being held on Saturday, the Prime Ministry Secretariat in Ankara and one of the biggest airports in the world in Istanbul.
Erdogan said, "The administrative judiciary (Council of the State) is not an adviser, but a stumbling block for a progressive and growing Turkey." He said the Turkish government would not resort to any populist economic policies for political gain, and would stick to sound financial discipline in order to achieve steady growth.
- Anniversary deadline
"Turkey continues to proceed towards its targets set for 2023, despite all attacks," the prime minister said. "Our fight against inflation will continue with determination and the cost of financing will be lowered because a high cost of financing obstructs foreign investment," he said.
Turkeys 2023 goals include creating 20 global brands and attaining $500 billion worth of exports. The year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic and it is set as a deadline for many financial, political and social targets.
"Interest lobbies, marginal organizations and some media organizations are looking for chaos to satisfy their appetite." He said: "Whenever Turkey has been harmed by terrorism and unrest, certain pillars of power and interest lobbies have added to their gains."
- 'Heavy losses'
Referring to the coverage of the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul over the summer of 2013, he said the incidents had "inflicted heavy economic losses on Turkey's hardworking people".
"Interest rates rose due to Gezi Park incidents and went up to 12 percent, but now it has receded to 8 percent levels," he said.
The protests, which began on 31 May last year as a small environmental demonstration, turned into nationwide demonstrations. The demonstrations erupted after the government moved to implement a redevelopment plan for nearby Taksim Square, which allegedly included replacing part of Gezi Park with a shopping mall.
- 'Progressive and growing'
Praising the 5.8 percent rise in exports in Turkey in May - the highest in the history of the Republic - Erdogan said: "We are proud of the performance of our exporters and manufacturers who have set this record despite global economic crisis, and Turkey is now generating know-how alongside its imports and exports."
He said that some groups had tried to stop and delay the construction of the Marmaray project - the undersea subway tube in Istanbul - a third hanging bridge over the Bosphorous for which the ground breaking ceremony is being held on Saturday, the Prime Ministry Secretariat in Ankara and one of the biggest airports in the world in Istanbul.
Erdogan said, "The administrative judiciary (Council of the State) is not an adviser, but a stumbling block for a progressive and growing Turkey." He said the Turkish government would not resort to any populist economic policies for political gain, and would stick to sound financial discipline in order to achieve steady growth.
- Anniversary deadline
"Turkey continues to proceed towards its targets set for 2023, despite all attacks," the prime minister said. "Our fight against inflation will continue with determination and the cost of financing will be lowered because a high cost of financing obstructs foreign investment," he said.
Turkeys 2023 goals include creating 20 global brands and attaining $500 billion worth of exports. The year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic and it is set as a deadline for many financial, political and social targets.
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