The world is at shock and the adversaries of Turkey are mourning as the statistical data show that the country's economy grew 11.1 percent in the third quarter of 2017 and that the year-end figure will be probably be around 7.5 percent. This is a colossal achievement for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his administration and proves the unstoppable rise of Turkey despite all the obstacles put up by certain Western circles.
They have tried everything to stall Turkey. They did not want Turkey to emerge as a leading economic, military and political power in its region that would safeguard its own vital interests. On July 15, 2016, they tried to stage a bloody coup using members of Fetullah Gülen's gang who infiltrated vital elements of the military. But that failed thanks to the courage of the Turkish people who flocked onto the streets and halted the armed uprising.
They tried to create the image that there is widespread dissatisfaction in the country and that this will end the Erdoğan administration. Thus, they campaigned with all their resources in Europe and at home for the rejection of the constitutional amendments that created a presidential system of government in Turkey, yet, the people approved the amendments in a referendum on April 16. They tried to stall Turkey by providing aid to the PKK's affiliates in Syria and create a mini terrorist state on our borders with Syria, which also failed.
They butchered the American legal system in New York, created meaningless charges against Turkey claiming it had violated the U.S. sanctions against Iran and tried to build a case that would bring President Erdoğan into disrepute. That case has turned into a farce manipulated by the Fetullah Gülen gang and thus has had no effects in Turkey. They tried to toy around with the Turkish economy. They used every means to undermine the Turkish lira through speculative methods. They even used some Turkish businessmen to help in their manipulation. All that failed.
At the end of the day, especially during the past three months when the offensive was at a peak, the Turkish economy continued to perform well. The efforts of the government to provide investment incentives to the small and medium sized businessmen paid off, the economic growth gained momentum. Hence, the 11.1 percent growth rate.
In a speech Tuesday, President Erdoğan reported he expects the desired growth figure to be as high as 7.5 percent.
Turkey remains the island of stability and consistency. It remains the rising start of its region. That is why an American survey has shown Erdoğan as the most popular leader in the Middle East. That is because Erdoğan cares for the people of the Middle East, he sheds tears for the plight of the Palestinians while most Arab leaders display indifference when the Americans declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Today, Turkey will host the emergency summit of Islamic leaders. We will see the level of sensitivity shown by Arab leaders toward Jerusalem and the Palestinian people.
