Answering a question of the AA correspondent on the global economic crisis, Tuzmen stressed that the Turkish government is working on measures to minimize the impact of the global crisis on the Turkish economy.

"Despite the global financial crisis, Turkey's exports are on the rise," Tuzmen said.

"The recession in the EU would affect Turkey's exports negatively. However, we took measures ahead of time. We are working on diversifying our export markets," Tuzmen said.

"For years, the EU received 56-57 percent of all Turkish exports. However, in the first half of 2008, the EU received only 50 percent of all Turkish exports. In 2002, Turkey's neighbors and regional countries received 25 percent of all Turkish exports. In the first half of 2008, Turkey's neighbors and regional countries received 41.3 percent of all Turkish exports," Tuzmen also said.

AA