Ali Babacan Quotes

Powerful Ali Babacan for Daily Growth

About Ali Babacan

Ali Babacan (born on August 31, 1978) is a renowned Turkish political figure, economist, and writer, who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2016 in the cabinet of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He was also one of the co-founders and a key member of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Born and raised in Izmir, Babacan completed his undergraduate studies in economics at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. He later pursued graduate studies in the United States at Stanford University, where he earned a Master's degree in economics. His academic career continued with a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics (LSE). Influenced by the ideas of Islamic liberalism and economic modernization, Babacan played a significant role in shaping Turkey's economic policies during his tenure as an AKP member. He was instrumental in the creation of the National Development Plan of Turkey 2023, which aimed to bring Turkey into the ranks of the world's developed countries by 2023 – the centennial of the Turkish Republic. Babacan has authored numerous articles and books on economic policy, including "Yeni Türkiye'nin Ekonomik Yolu" (The Economic Path of New Turkey) and "Türkiye'nin 2023 Gözdesi" (Turkey's Vision for 2023). His works are widely recognized for their insightful analysis of the Turkish economy and its potential for growth. In 2016, Babacan resigned from his position as Foreign Affairs Minister to focus on academic research and writing, later joining the faculty at the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany. He remains an influential voice in Turkish politics and continues to contribute to economic discourse through his writings and lectures.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Believe in your dreams and work hard for them."

This quote underscores the power of optimism and persistence. It encourages individuals to have faith in their aspirations, and to actively strive towards achieving those dreams through hard work. The message is that believing in something deeply can fuel one's determination, and consistent effort can eventually lead to success. Essentially, the quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and relentless commitment when pursuing personal goals or dreams.


"The real power comes from within: it's our beliefs, our ideas, our creativity."

This quote emphasizes that true power lies in one's inner self, primarily in personal beliefs, thoughts, and creativity. It suggests that an individual's potential for influence and success stems from their inner resources like their convictions, innovative thinking, and unique ideas rather than external factors or authority. In other words, the quote encourages individuals to focus on cultivating their minds, values, and imagination to achieve personal growth and empowerment.


"Success is not about being the first, but being the best."

This quote emphasizes that success should be defined by personal excellence rather than competing for position or priority. It's a reminder that striving to become the "best" in one's field—whether professionally, artistically, or otherwise—is more important than being the first or fastest. The focus on improvement and mastery over competition sets the stage for long-term fulfillment and lasting impact, as opposed to fleeting recognition based on rank or timing.


"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

This quote emphasizes the transformative power of individual dreams and ambition in shaping the world. It suggests that every significant achievement or change begins with a single dreamer – an individual who believes in their vision, possesses the perseverance and passion necessary to pursue it, and ultimately has the potential to make a difference on a global scale. It encourages the reader to recognize their inner strength and to use it to strive for greatness, inspiring change in the process.


"The most important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

This quote emphasizes the importance of questioning, inquiry, and curiosity throughout one's life. It suggests that an insatiable desire to understand and learn about the world around us is vital. The underlying message encourages people to never lose their sense of wonder, as continuous questioning fosters intellectual growth, stimulates innovation, and contributes to personal development. In essence, being curious allows us to explore possibilities, challenge established ideas, and make progress in our pursuit of knowledge.


'The Economist' is a biased organization.

- Ali Babacan

Organization, Biased, Economist

Turkey does not have an official exchange rate target.

- Ali Babacan

Turkey, Rate, Does, Exchange Rate

When Turkey buys Iranian oil, we pay for it in Turkish lira... However, it is not possible for Iran to take that money as dollars into its own country due to international restrictions, the U.S.A.'s sanctions. Therefore, when Iran cannot take this money back as currency, they withdraw Turkish lira and buy gold from our market.

- Ali Babacan

Country, However, Iranian, Sanctions

Those looking from Europe see Turkey as an economic success, whereas others from the Middle East see Turkey as a democratic success.

- Ali Babacan

Middle, See, East, Whereas

We have been talking with leaders: Change is coming; you can no longer have a closed regime with an open society - satellites, social media, the Internet - you have this kind, this kind of society moving forward, and you are running this closed regime; this is not sustainable. This cannot continue.

- Ali Babacan

Been, Leaders, Sustainable, Social Media

Turkey will not let Turkish territory or airspace be used in any activity that could harm the security or safety of Syria.

- Ali Babacan

Will, Activity, Harm, Turkish

The E.U. initially decided to end the isolation of Turkish Cyprus, to balance the accession of Cyprus. But the E.U. has not carried through on its promise.

- Ali Babacan

Through, Decided, Carried, Turkish

Openly speaking, the only formula that will save Greece's future is more trade with Turkey and more investment with Turkey.

- Ali Babacan

Trade, Speaking, Openly, Greece

Greece is not an easy country to do business in.

- Ali Babacan

Business, Country, Easy, Greece

Turkey is widely envied while there are very serious troubles in the world economy.

- Ali Babacan

World, Very, Envied, World Economy

Turkey is going through an incredible economic, political and social transformation. What is most important is that Turkey has been the owner of this transformation. Ownership has been the key to success.

- Ali Babacan

Through, Been, Owner, Key To Success

Turkey's economy is powerful enough to tackle tough times.

- Ali Babacan

Tough Times, Powerful, Times, Tackle

Turkey's energy bill due to imports will fall with the increase in use of renewable energy sources. We have no control over the prices of petroleum and natural gas.

- Ali Babacan

Over, Imports, Sources, Increase

Turkey shares Europe's fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law.

- Ali Babacan

Law, Values, Turkey, Shares

A country which has a population 99% as their faith in Islam can also be a country which are subscribing to the universal values of the E.U.

- Ali Babacan

Values, Country, Which, Universal

Turkey has a young and growing population. Until recently, this was perceived as a problem, a burden that Turkey would bring to the E.U. But it is, in fact, an asset that can help the population deficit of the E.U. and the economic growth of Turkey.

- Ali Babacan

Fact, Young, Recently, Deficit

Whatever the scenario, the dynamism of developing nations, their demographics and competitive power are great sources for superiority.

- Ali Babacan

Superiority, Sources, Dynamism

Population is a strong driver of the economy as well as the quality of the labor force.

- Ali Babacan

Strong, Driver, Well, Population

The fast fish, not the big fish, eats the small fish.

- Ali Babacan

Small, Fast, Big, Eats

It is unfair to ask Turkey to make a unilateral concession to take goods from Cyprus within the customs union when the E.U. is not open to northern Cyprus.

- Ali Babacan

Within, Unilateral, Goods, Concession

Northern Iraq has become, economically, a natural extension of Turkey.

- Ali Babacan

Extension, Economically, Turkey

Islam and democracy can function together.

- Ali Babacan

Democracy, Together, Islam, Function

Leave history to historians.

- Ali Babacan

History, Leave, Historians

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