President slams credit agencies working against Turkey

By Mehmet Tosun and Burcu Calik

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s president on Friday criticized credit rating agencies for trying to derail Turkey's economy.

"You know how credit rating agencies reported against our country and how they are struggling to not let global capital come to Turkey," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting of provincial chairs of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Erdogan's remarks in the capital Ankara came one day after the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced Turkey’s economy grew 7.4 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year.

The president reiterated that Turkey’s banner growth last year put it at the top of G20 countries.

"I hope such a result will be a lesson to everyone at a time when credit rating agencies' grade games and currency speculations have reached a peak," Erdogan said.

The president also called on businessmen and markets to trust Turkey, saying it can overcome problems and realize economic targets with its opportunities and potential.