2021 to be year of reforms for Turkey, says Erdoğan

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

Turkey's president on Dec. 26 proclaimed that 2021 would be a year of democratic and economic reforms in the country.

"As promised, I hope 2021 will be a year of democratic and economic reforms," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at an opening in Ankara via video link from Istanbul.

"We'll present the preparations for this to the discretion of our nation and parliament as soon as possible," Erdoğan added.

Meanwhile, Turkey is ready to talk, agree and work together with every country on the condition of respect for its sovereignty, rights, laws and potential, he underlined.

Turkey does not have any problem that cannot be resolved with either the U.S., Europe, Russia, China or other regional countries, he stressed.

Reducing dependence

In a second opening ceremony marking the opening of a lithium carbonate production plant in the neighboring Eskişehir province, Erdoğan said the lithium produced at the plant is projected to be used in components in Turkey's first domestically manufactured electric car under the stewardship of the country's Automobile Joint Venture Group (TOGG).

Hailing the Etimaden Lithium Carbonate Production Plant in central Turkey, Erdoğan underlined that new investments from transportation to culture and art, agriculture and the defense industry were being opened in the counrtry every day, even as other economies have come to a standstill.

He said 2020 had been a fruitful year for Turkey, especially in the field of energy, adding: "We're trying to bring not only hydrocarbon resources to our economy, but also other natural and underground riches in our country. We're working hard to uncover Turkey's true potential in this strategic area, which has been neglected for years before us."

He stressed that in the last four years alone, a record 4.4 million meters of drilling had been carried out.

"In particular, we pay special attention to the boron mineral, which is one of the most strategic underground resources of our country. For example, our production of refined boron products, which was 436,000 tons in 2002, has reached about 1.6 million tons as of December this year," said Erdoğan.

Noting that 73% of all global boron reserves were in Turkey, he added that in the coming period, these would reduce Turkey's dependence on foreign energy resources and raw materials.