Simsek: Foreign Ministry takes all necessary steps

Speaking about the British Guardian's allegations that the UK intercepted phone calls and monitored the computers of Turkish delegation during a meeting in London in 2009, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said yesterday that the foreign ministry has taken and will continue to take necessary steps. Simsek attended the Seyitomer Thermal Power Plant's handover agreement signing ceremony held at Rixos Hotel along with Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz. In response to a question about the Guardian's allegations, Simsek said he didn't understand why they needed such an attempt, since there were dialogues between the countries. "According to press, they wanted to see our views on international financial audit and financial reforms. They wanted to learn our dialogues and cooperation with other countries at G-20 level," he said. Simsek stated that the foreign ministry made a statement and took steps in this direction. "Our Foreign Ministry has taken and will continue to take all necessary steps," Simsek said. Meanwhile, Yildiz said that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government took its strength from transparency. "By intercepting or not intercepting a minister, you cannot get any advantage," Yildiz said, adding that this act was wrong and unforgiveable.