Turkey needs 'big' change, says opposition leader

By Eda Fatma Topcu and Handan Gunes

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey needs a "big" change, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu said on Tuesday.

"Turkey needs a big change and transformation. It needs to raise the level of democracy, to produce high value added goods, to adapt education system to contemporary norms, to develop peaceful foreign policy [...], and to be a main actor in the Middle East," Kilicdaroglu said.

His remarks came during a meeting with Erol Bilecik, chairman of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), in Istanbul.

Kilicdaroglu said the business community kept close watch on both Turkey and the world, adding it constituted a "dynamic structure" that monitors problems and creates solutions.

"This is important for Turkey's future," he added.

Bilecik said they not only discussed the economy, but also exchanged views on current EU membership and Customs Union processes as well as gender inequalities.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu is not running for president in Turkey's upcoming election on June 24. Muharrem Ince is the CHP candidate.