Turkish economy minister says not to join Davos meeting

Turkish economy minister says he will not participate in this year's Davos Economic Forum.

"I have participated in Davos for the last seven years and I have decided not to go this time," Ali Babacan told reporters at a press meeting on Thursday.

Babacan said his decision not to attend the forum had "nothing to do" with a long-delayed stand-by deal with the International Monetary Fund.

"As for the next year's Davos Summit, we will see to it when that day comes. IMF and Davos have nothing to do with each other," Babacan said.

Turkey's previous deal with the IMF ended in May 2008. Talks between the country and the Fund have yet to prove conclusive.

The Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that "talks with the IMF are about to come to a conclusion. We are probably talking about days, weeks."

News reports say Turkey was eyeing some $25 billion from a deal with the IMF.

Last year's Davos Summit saw the Turkish Prime Minister vowing to never come to Davos again as he stormed off the stage in a panel discussion with Israeli President Shimon Peres.

"For me Davos is over. I will never attend this meeting again," said Erdogan, angered by the panel's moderator who had failed to give much time to the Turkish premier to respond to Peres' remarks over Israel's Gaza offensive.

/World Bulletin/