Central Bank head: "Turkey's economy is well positioned to weather global crisis"

President Abdullah Gul yesterday received Central Bank head Durmus Yilmaz at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Yilmaz briefed Gul on the current US-oriented global economic crisis and its impact on Turkey's economy. In related news, commenting on the crisis in a televised interview, Yilmaz said that Turkey's financial system was in good condition thanks to its structural reforms of recent years. Stating that Turkey should maintain strict fiscal policy, he added, "If price stability continues, the economy's growth trend will also go on." He also said, "Any country can be affected by a crisis taking place in the highly integrated world economy. We will continue to supply the necessary liquidity to the markets. Everyone should be on alert for negative effects of the crisis." Touching on relations with the International Monetary Fund, he said Turkey no longer needs IMF funds but that it should finalize the talks with the Fund on a precautionary standby agreement.