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- October 13, 202619°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,195.90-0.48%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,797-1.05%
- October 13, 202619°
Cevdet Yılmaz says Terror-Free Türkiye process is key to development
Speaking in Sinop, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said the Terror-Free Türkiye process is important for the country’s economic and democratic development. Yılmaz said terrorism’s direct and indirect effects on Türkiye had reached at least $2.3 trillion, according to previous estimates.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said in a speech at the Sinop Provincial Directorate of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that they were closely monitoring developments in the region and around the world. Noting that Türkiye is located in a region where wars are taking place, Yılmaz said they therefore needed to strengthen the domestic front.
Yılmaz described the Terror-Free Türkiye process as an important step toward economic, democratic and social development, as well as strengthening Türkiye internationally. Saying that they wanted to permanently remove terrorism from the agenda, Yılmaz said the support given to the process in Parliament was important.
Referring to terrorism’s effects on agriculture, tourism, the investment climate and mining, Yılmaz said previous estimates put its direct and indirect cost to Türkiye at at least $2.3 trillion. Yılmaz argued that Türkiye could be in a different position if these resources had been directed toward development.
Yılmaz said Parliament had demonstrated a national stance on Terror-Free Türkiye and that work had begun in the commission established under his chairmanship. Yılmaz said their aim was to create an environment without weapons or terrorism, where differing views could be advocated through democratic politics.
Messages on economic growth and inflation
Yılmaz said Türkiye’s economic size had increased during the AK Party period, rising from $238 billion in 2002 to an expected $1.8 trillion by the end of this year. He said per capita income was also expected to rise from $3,600 to more than $20,000 over the same period.
Yılmaz said the global economy had grown by an annual average of 3.5 percent over the past 23 years, while Türkiye had recorded 5.3 percent growth. Saying they were focused on inflation, Yılmaz announced a target of 21 percent for next year.
Yılmaz argued that transformation had also taken place in democracy and fundamental rights, saying civilian politics was decisive in political decision-making processes. He said social policies had also been strengthened during the AK Party period and assessed their impact on different income groups.
Investments in Sinop
Yılmaz said Türkiye had become an influential power in its region and a global actor, adding that the country sought solutions through diplomacy and mediation rather than war. Referring also to developments in the defense industry, Yılmaz said production capacity had increased in various areas, including unmanned aerial vehicles, naval platforms, tanks and electronic warfare systems.
Providing information about public investments in Sinop, Yılmaz said more than 70 billion liras in public investment had been made in the province between 2003 and 2025. He said public investments for 2026 amounted to 48.5 billion liras and that 175 public investment projects were continuing in different parts of Sinop.
Yılmaz said the length of divided roads in Sinop had increased from 4 kilometers in 2002 to 129 kilometers today, adding that investments had also been made in health and education.
Meeting with the business community
Yılmaz later attended the Sinop Business Community Meeting held at the Conference Hall of the Ahmet Muhip Dıranas Practice Hotel at Sinop University. He said social development could be achieved not only through major cities but by jointly assessing the potential of all 81 provinces.
Yılmaz said public investments were important for roads, bridges, hospitals and basic infrastructure, adding that productive private-sector investments were needed to increase employment and exports. He said private-sector investments in industry, agriculture and services complemented public investments.
Pointing out that Sinop’s average age was higher than the national average, Yılmaz highlighted the importance of elderly care centers. He said work in Sinop could serve as an example as Türkiye faces an aging process in the future.
Yılmaz said Sinop had high potential for fish production, adding that investments in organized industrial zones, universities, roads, schools and hospitals were continuing alongside investments in industry, agriculture and aquaculture.
Yılmaz said the results of investments in education emerged over the long term, noting that the Ministry of National Education had received the largest share of the budget since 2002. He said the number of teachers had exceeded 1 million, new classrooms had been built and educational infrastructure had been improved, emphasizing that development required patience and long-term effort.
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