Turkey - Future trends



Turkey entered the new millennium with renewed hopes of economic, political, and social development and reform. The 3-party coalition that came into power in April 1999 has shown signs of stability, and many international sources are hopeful that the government will achieve its aims in the next 3-5 years. Its aggressive reform program addresses most of the country's outstanding critical issues, including the often appalling human rights record, undisciplined fiscal policy , and state interference in the economy. These financial measures should help to reduce inflation, and speed up privatization of public sector enterprises. There is also a program for structural reform in the social security and taxation systems. With the completion of the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) within the next few years, the Turkish economy should receive a boost. In addition, the project could accomplish much in terms of reducing the disparities in income in different regions of the country, and between rural and urban areas. The possibility of joining the EU in due course should act as a major incentive for the nation to continue on a path of democratization, industrialization, and modernization.

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