UPDATE - Turkish premier expects record third quarter growth

UPDATES WITH FURTHER COMMENT FROM YILDIRIM

By Ali Korkmaz

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkey expects record third quarter growth to see it become the fastest-growing G-20 country, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Wednesday.

Speaking at the Aegean Economic Forum in the western province of Izmir, he said: “Turkey may break a record in the third quarter. In the third quarter, Turkey will most probably be the fastest-growing country in the G-20.”

The prime minister suggested the July-September growth figures, which are due to be released in December, could reach double digits.

Yildirim said next year would “be better for Turkey than 2017” and added: “The inflation rate will remain single-digit and the growth target will be at least 5.5.

“Don’t be surprised if the year-end growth becomes seven percent though.”

Improvements in the global economy and a recovery in Europe were expected he told business figures.

“However, there are still some issues to be regarded,” Yildirim said. “The economic fragility and the regional tension in the wake of the global crises are not over yet.”

Turning to relations with Europe, the prime minister said the EU should appreciate Turkey’s contribution to reducing migration via the Aegean Sea.

“Turkey expects its European friends to be aware and to appreciate such a contribution by Turkey,” he said. “However, escalating nationalist trends and Islamophobia in Europe have completely blurred their vision.”

He called on fellow leaders in Europe to reassess their plans and decide if they want an “expanding Europe that includes Turkey or [if they] want to turn into a European club that closes its borders with high walls.”