Erdogan says nobody should obstruct resolution process

Speaking on Tuesday at his Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government would finalize its decision on the names that will be included in the "wise men" group soon and the group will convene for the first time on Thursday. The wise men will try to mediate between the Kurdish and Turkish communities to improve the climate for peaceful relations in the country. Erdogan said the new process called the "resolution process" was an advanced step towards a more robust, freer, more democratic and more peaceful Turkey. "Nobody should try to obstruct it with provocations," Erdogan said. Touching on the recently announced 2.2 percent of Turkish economic growth rate for 2012, Erdogan said, "Although a growth of 2.2 percent was below our expectations, Turkey's performance was successful compared to the developed countries and European countries." Regarding the recent upgrade made by S&P in Turkey's rating, Erdogan said that it was not enough. "After upgrading by six fold the rating of a country which went bankrupt, S&P's giving Turkey such a note was neither scientific nor just," added Erdogan.