Turkish President Ahmed Necdet Sezer Monday called on his fellow countrymen to join hands and work selflessly for a better future of the country in the coming 2002, reported the Anatolia News Agency.
In a new year message to the nation, Sezer said that whatever the dimensions of the problems faced by Turkey might be, the country nevertheless has the opportunity to mobilize its dynamism and resources, and successfully overcome its difficulties.
Describing corruption as the "biggest reason for economic crises and social injustices," Sezer said that indifference in the face of the people will disrupt social peace and reduce confidence in the state.
Positive indicators had emerged in recent days which allowed the nation to look forward with greater hope in the new year, said the president.
But he warned that there was still much work to be done in 2002 to revive the country's sluggish economy, with all its sectors have to be revitalized and the structural problems to be overcome.
The president stressed that this was doubly important if new job opportunities are to be created and the income level of people is to be increased in the new year.
In 2001, Turkey has suffered from the biggest economic crisis witnessed since the end of the Second World War with economy shrinking approximately by 9.2 percent.
(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2002)
