TURKEY-PRESS SCAN (2)

ANKARA (A.A) - 01.04.2011 - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 1, 2011. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

VATAN
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PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM CAN BE CARRIED TO REFERENDUM
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that "presidential system" could be discussed after the upcoming general elections in Turkey. "Such a step could be taken if the nation replies positively to such demand," Erdogan said. Speaking to Bloomberg TV in London, the premier also noted, "The issue may be carried to a referendum, but not at the moment. Such a thing is not on our agenda prior to general elections. It can be discussed after that".

WE ARE THE BEST IN EUROPE
Turkish economy grew by 8.9 percent in 2010 and was ranked the first among European countries. Turkey, which also achieved a global success with such figure, had the third highest growth figure in G-20, following China and Argentina.

CUMHURIYET
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ERDOGAN ANNOUNCES DATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he was planning to carry the "presidential system" to a referendum after the general elections in Turkey. Speaking in London, Erdogan said studies would be intensified after elections to prepare a new "short and comprehensible" constitution and steps would be taken according to the number of seats at the parliament. Commenting on the discussions over the "presidential system" as well, Erdogan said, "I am planning to take the issue to a referendum after the elections".

BIG, RICH, BUT UNEMPLOYED
Turkey's statistics authority TurkStat said that Turkey grew by 8.9 percent in 2010 and by 9.2 percent in the last quarter of the year. Turkey's GDP also rose to 1.1 trillion TL (735.8 billion USD) in current prices last year. However, the growth figures, which have not had a reflection in employment so far, have not yet played a major role in dragging down the number of the unemployed below 5 million.
  
RADIKAL
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REFERENDUM FOR PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM
Speaking to Bloomberg in British capital of London, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a referendum could be held on the presidential system after the general elections scheduled to be held in June 2011. Asked when the new constitution will be submitted to the parliament if his party wins parliamentary election, Erdogan said that works were under way for a new constitution. Erdogan said that they aimed to speed up works on the matter immediately after elections.

RECORD IN GROWTH
Turkey's growth rate was 9.2 percent in the last quarter of 2010 and 8.9 percent in 2010. The reason of this record is an increase in domestic consumption. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the growth rate showed Turkey completely overcame global economic crisis.