Economy, Syrian crisis and air defense top priorities: Altun

ISTANBUL

The economy, the Syrian crisis and air defense will be among the top priorities of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan administration following the elections, said a top aide on April 13.

In an article published in Qatar based Al Jazeera, Fahrettin Altun, the communications director of the Turkish presidency outlined Ankara’s priorities after the local elections.

“Regardless of the final outcome, the election disproved popular and unsubstantiated claims pandered by some western media outlets and pundits that Turkish democracy is dead. Well, it is quite alive and kicking,” Altun wrote.

“After Turkey wrapped up the municipal vote, for the first time in many years, it is entering a long election-free period that will last until 2023. In these four-and-a-half years, the Turkish presidency will focus on three main issues: the economy, the crisis in Syria and its defense capabilities,” he said.

“On the home front, getting the Turkish economy back on track will be the administration's top priority. In recent months, Turkey experienced an unprecedented and potentially devastating economic assault that it managed to survive,” Altun added.