Erdogan says govt ready to seal Turkey-IMF deal

The government could sign an anticipated standby deal with the International Monetary Fund "within a week or so," said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Speaking to reporters after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Saad al-Hariri in Ankara, Erdogan stated that the government and the fund have extensively discussed a possible standby. "I am also waiting to be informed by government officials who are involved in the talks with the IMF," he said. "I think we will reach a deal in a week." Recent statements by government officials hopeful of a deal have raised market expectations. Following a successfully completed 20th standby deal with the fund in May 2008, one year ago the government began talks on a new agreement.