‘Turkey seeks to eliminate development gap in country’

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Saturday said one of the main goals of his government was to eliminate the development gap in the country.

Speaking in the central Anatolian Nigde province, Yildirim pledged security and stability for everyone across the country.

Referring to the suffering of people in eastern and southeastern Turkey due to terror threats, he said the government was trying to "bind up wounds".

He highlighted the government’s work to rebuild the districts destroyed by terrorists and said over 26,000 houses have been built in the region for the terror victims.

Yildirim said an investment of 2.5 billion Turkish liras (around $667 million) was made in more than 90 district municipalities, where trustees were appointed by the government.

Southeastern Turkey has seen numerous terror attacks by the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and U.S.

In its over three-decade terror campaign against Turkey, more than 40,000 people have been killed.

The terrorist organization resumed its armed campaign in July 2015. Since then, it has killed more than 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including women and children.

Yildirim once again reiterated Turkey's "determined fight" against terrorism and said any attacks on southern borders would get equal treatment in return.

"Fighting terrorism is not only about fighting terrorists and taking security measures. We are also trying to meet the reasonable requests of our citizens on an equitable basis," the premier said.

He highlighted the investment made in Nigde and announced new projects including a high-speed train and an airport in Bor district.

Yildirim later left for Aksaray province where he is to also make an address.