No. 78 January 2008
 
 

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING IN DAVOS
 
The World Economic Forum meetings were held in Davos, Switzerland on January 23-26. The forum was attended by around 2,500 dignitaries from 88 countries. The theme of this year’s meeting was "The Power of Collaborative Innovation.” A meeting held on January 26 as part of the forum focused on Turkey's policy on economy. State Ministers Mehmet Şimşek, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Güler and Central Bank Governor Durmuş Yılmaz participated in the meeting. Şimşek said the Turkish economy has been standing on a more solid ground currently when compared to the past. "Turkish government has fulfilled important reforms in recent years. We made the economy more resilient to external shocks. I think that Turkey is affected by shocks in international markets at a lower extent nowadays, when compared to the past," he stated. "Countries are facing serious economic problems those days. The growth will probably slow down in the world in 2008," Şimşek said. "Turkey has a powerful government. It rapidly takes economic measures when necessary. We prepared a solid budget for 2008 and also pay great attention to the monetary policy," he said. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Güler said that Turkey's economy was performing well and was on a solid basis. Speaking to reporters on Turkey's energy, Güler said pipelines passing via Turkey underlined the "geostrategic and geopolitical" importance of the country. Güler said German firm RWE company chosen as the sixth partner in NABUCCO project, recalling that Treasury guarantee problem in nuclear power plant project was resolved with an article in the related law. Foreign Minister Babacan delivered a speech at a panel discussion titled "Turkey's Challenges," on January 26. Babacan said thanks to the reforms implemented in the last five years Turkey underwent major changes in areas of economy and politics. He said this has resulted in Turkey becoming a dynamic, transformed and stable state. "Turkey's goal now is to be one of the top 10 economies by 2023, the centenary of the Turkish Republic," said Babacan. Babacan said they would pursue an active foreign policy in 2008 and said that they wanted to open 10 embassies in Africa. After the panel discussion, Babacan held an exclusive meeting with the foreign press. While talking to reporters in Davos, Babacan commented on Turkish-Greek relations, Babacan said there was a strong mutual political will between Turkey and Greece to resolve the problems. "The Aegean, minority matters and Cyprus are the problems between Turkey and Greece. Solution of the problems in question will be in the interest of both parties. There are historical relations. We should work hard. A window of opportunity has opened but it will not stay open forever. I think a rapid progress towards solution should be shown," Babacan said. Babacan said that exploratory talks aiming to resolve problems between Turkey and Greece were underway. Turkish politicians and high-level executives from international companies gathered at a reception hosted by Turkey's Doğuş Group on the sidelines of Davos Economic Forum on January 25. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Energy Minister Hilmi Güler and Governor of Turkish Central Bank Durmuş Yılmaz attended the reception. Famous Turkish singers Sertap Erener and Demir Demirkan performed at the reception and sang songs in English. On January 26, Turkey and France organized the closing gala of the forum. Turkey's cultural heritage was introduced at the gala. Musicians Demet Tuncay, Kenan Doğulu and Burhan Öcal and whirling dervishes also performed.