The leader of the National Unity Party, Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu on Wednesday launched efforts to form a new coalition government after being handed the task by President Ersin Tatar a day earlier.

Within the framework of his efforts, Sucuoğlu held separate meetings on Wednesday with the leader of the Rebirth Party (YDO) Erhan Arıklı and the leader of the Democrat Party Fikri Ataoğlu.

The UBP leader will be meeting with the leader of the Peoples’ Party (HP) Kudret Özersay this afternoon and is expected to visit the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Arıklı, Sucuoğlu said that talks with the YDP had been productive and positive.

“Mr Arıklı and his team listened to our views. We exchanged views on the economy and explained our plans for the next five years. It was a very productive meeting. We will continue our evaluations over the next couple of days. We are hoping to reach a speedy outcome,” he said.

YDP leader Erhan Arıklı for his part said that they had presented the UBP delegates a package on legislative issues they believe required priority.

“We explained to Mr Sucuoğlu and his team which laws need to be given priority. They on the other hand presented us with what I believe was a draft of their government programme. We will see what will come out of this at our next meeting. We are in urgent need of a new government. I wish Mr Sucuoğlu and his team success,” he said.

Later in the afternoon, Sucuoğlu and his team were received by the leader of the Democrat Party Fikri Ataoğlu.

Speaking afterwards, the UBP leader said that the two parties will be examining the documents exchanged and that a second meeting could take place on Friday or Saturday.

“We will be stepping up efforts to form a government as soon as possible. If need be we will be convening the party assembly at the start of next week to inform them of the developments. Hopefully we can form the government by next week,” he said.

Ataoğlu on the other hand gave an optimistic outlook concerning the talks held between their respective parties.

He said that both parties shared views on a wide range of areas and believed that progress could be achieved swiftly.