Turkish premier defines Istanbul blast significant when Turkey's economy is growing

ANKARA (A.A) - March 1, 2012 - Turkey's prime minister defined on Thursday the Istanbul blast as significant which occurred when Turkey's economy was growing. Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said such attacks were really significant when Turkey's economy was growing and Turkish economy had a successful performance despite global crisis. "Nobody should exert efforts in vain, nobody is strong enough to slow down Turkey's progress and harm its stability," Erdogan said during a press conference held in Ankara to introduce the new icon of Turkish lira (TL). Erdogan's remarks came after a remote-control bomb was detonated in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, wounding ten people. The bomb exploded when a vehicle carrying 21 police officers was passing by on Sutluce Imrahor Street, slightly injuring 10 of them. Erdogan said those who staged the attack should know that they could never achieve their intentions and could never harm stability, unity and brotherhood. The premier said Turkey would continue to counter terrorism with determination, and expressed belief that terrorism would weaken each passing day thanks to coordination of all security units and institutions. Erdogan also said those responsible would be arrested and be brought before justice as soon as possible.