21.10.2013 Los Angeles / USA
In the US for the “Turkey Investment Week”, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Prime Minister Deputy Ali Babacan and the delegation accompanying them attended the dinner held by the Los Angeles World Business Council.
Speaking at the Los
Angeles World Business Council, Prime Minister Deputy Ali Babacan spoke about
the Turkish economy to American businessmen.
Ali Babacan said, “Many of the 28 EU countries are unable
to fulfill EU criteria. Turkey’s economy is better off than many EU countries,
however every effort made in order to reach a goal enables us to raise our
standards,” speaking in regards to the level of prosperity which Turkey’s
economy has reached.
“There was just one
scheduled flight between İstanbul and New York in 2002. Today, that number has
tripled.
Turkey is a Balkan
country, a European country as well as a Middle Eastern country,” said the
Deputy Prime Minister and stated that they plan on making İstanbul one of the
top 10 global commerce centers.
Talking in regards to
the Gezi Protests which happened in May, Babacan reported that there would be
other democracy packages as well.
Speaking with regards
to the 2023 goals, Babacan said, “Turkey moves with regional and global
responsibilities in mind; we are monitoring all developments closely.”