"Turkish Women in EU Accession Process" Brussels Visit

"Turkish Women in EU Accession Process" Brussels Visit

PRESS RELEASE
DECLARATION OF TURKISH WOMEN'S INITIATIVE FOR EU ACCESSION
29-30 April 2010

We have visited Brussels on 29-30 April 2010, under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, the esteemed spouse of Prime Minister Erdoğan, through the coordination of Mr. Egemen Bağıþ, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, and Secretariat General for EU Affairs, accompanied by a delegation composed of businesswomen, civil society representatives, jurists, politicians, academicians, artists, journalists and students.

This initiative started by Turkish women with different backgrounds, is a significant first step taken to voice the common rationale of Turkish women in the EU accession process.

We support Türkiye's EU accession process with determination and would like to actively take part in this process.

We believe that the EU accession process has a key role in improving the legal, economic and social status of Turkish women, in contributing to the integration of our women with their European counterparts and in attaining women's rights at universal standards.

The objective of EU membership is a common denominator unifying Turkish women from all segments of society.

Enhancing communication between Turkish and European women is essential for Türkiye's EU membership and it would definitely contribute to reach a more equal and prestigious Europe.

In order to enrich, diversify and ensure the sustainability of this initiative:

a) We believe that visits to other EU institutions and EU Member States will be beneficial.

b) We would like to strengthen the communication network formed by this initiative and to increase the presence of Turkish women in Europe through this network.

c) We wish to increase public awareness on women's rights that have been enhanced through the EU accession process, and contribute to the full implementation of the laws with regard to these rights.
d) We wish to support and strengthen policies that will enhance women's participation in political and business life in order to attain universal standards.
Within the context of the principles laid down in this declaration, Turkish women will continue to support the EU accession process with determination and follow closely this process.
The participants of "Turkish Women's Initiative for EU Accession"...