Turkish minister underlines 'financial gains' of ending terrorism

Turkish Minister of Finance Mehmet Simsek has said, "Once we resolve our own (Kurdish) issue in the framework of advanced democracy and fundamental rights and freedoms, it is highly probable that Turkey will become a source of inspiration not only in our region but also in the world." Emphasizing that a lot of money was spent on fight against terrorism, Simsek said, "If the talks for the resolution of the Kurdish issue will end successfully, we can use the budget previously allocated for fighting against terrorism, to establish the long term future of our country in other terms for education. The success of the resolution of the Kurdish issue will significantly contribute to Turkey financially." ?im?ek addressed to business and trade community of Bursa at an event last night. "Eastern and southeastern Turkey have developed less compared to the west despite all incentives. Fertility rate is 1.59 in the west whereas it is 4 in the east of Turkey meaning that there is young population and potential in the east. In my opinion speedy development will take place with the implementation of peace in the eastern and southeastern regions," the minister added. Stating that Turkish governments have been using their energy on fighting against terror in the last 40-50 years, Simsek said, "Once we resolve our own (Kurdish) issue in the framework of advanced democracy and fundamental rights and freedoms, it is highly probably that Turkey will become a source of inspiration not only in our region but also in the world. Turkey has become an important actor economically, politically military wise both in the region and globally in recent years and it will become even stronger once the Kurdish issue will be resolved." Simsek also hoped that the process would be crowned with a new constitution that Turkey deserved.