Turkish finance minister says does not see big risk to economy

Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said he does not see a big risk to the country's economy or financial system.

"We do not see a big risk about Turkey's economy or financial system," Albayrak said on Wednesday when asked about the biggest risk for 2019.

He said he does not see a big risk because Turkey's net public debt and household debt are very low and its financial system is very strong.

Albayrak made the comments to reporters on the plane back from his visit to Paris on Monday.

Albayrak has signalled that Turkey wants to mend its ties with the European Union as it faces what he said are moves by the United States that threaten the global economy.

He and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have also emphasised that Turkey would aim to trade in local currencies rather than use the dollar.

Albayrak said that steps would be taken to prevent foreign currencies from being used for real estate and shopping-mall store rents and sales.