Erdoğan says Turkey open to investment, but has not asked any country for money

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday said that Turkey underwent major reforms and radical changes in a short period to tackle difficulties.

"To overcome [economic] hardship we have implemented and undergone major reforms and radical changes swiftly, that in normal circumstances would have taken years," he said at the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's consultation meeting in Kızılcahamam district of the capital.

Erdoğan added that by saying an increase in exchange rate is not only due to economic reasons, Turkey did not try to escape responsibility but was only assessing the current situation.

"Of course, Turkey is open to all kinds of investments, support and contribution as long as the price to pay for this is not our country's sovereignty and future," he said.

Erdoğan stated that Turkey asked for investments during official visits to foreign countries, but never for money.

He said that the interest of international investors in Turkey continues, stating that good news is expected to be announced in the upcoming period without giving further details.

"We will achieve our country's goals with our own solutions, our own programs," he said.

Erdoğan added that Turkey is among the countries with the lowest public debt to national income ratio.

The Turkish president said that as long as he is alive, no international organization will be able to "put Turkey under the yoke".

On the issue of whether Turkey will receive support by global management consulting company McKinsey, he said he had told his ministers "not to receive any advice from them".

"This [consultation] is not necessary, we are enough for ourselves," he said.

- "OPPORTUNISTS" WHO RAISE PRICES TO BE FINED
Turkey will impose fines on "opportunists" who use volatility in the foreign exchange rate to raise prices, Erdoğan said on Saturday.

"We will not abandon our people to the mercy of opportunists," Erdoğan said in a statement.

Erdoğan urged Turks on Tuesday to report stores that had imposed unusual price hikes during the currency crisis, and said authorities would raid those businesses if necessary.

- FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Erdoğan said that Turkey will eliminate all terrorists and give them a befitting response for their attacks.

On Thursday, in the southeastern Batman province an improvised explosive planted by PKK terrorists detonated when an armored military vehicle passed through, martyring eight soldiers.

Erdoğan expressed his condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers.

"Do we have eight martyrs? Those terrorists should know that they will pay the price for that with at least 800 [terrorists]," he said.

"We will also eliminate them [terrorists] in Qandil and Sinjar," he added.

"They [terrorists] will never have the strength to destroy the peace and prosperity of this nation," he added.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.