A MESSAGE ON 8 MARCH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, FROM THE MINISTER FOR EU AFFAIRS BAGIS

Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that in Turkey, which continues to carry out EU accession negotiations, important steps have been taken to improve the legal and de facto status of women.

In his message on the 8 March Women's Day Bagis said that UN accepted 8 March as the "International Women's Day" based on the idea that it is a day on which women are globally honoured for their successes achieved in economic, social and political fields rather than celebrating it as a day on which men express their love to women important for them.

Bagis recalled that the Great Leader Ataturk granted women the right to vote and to be elected before the time it was granted in France, Italy and Switzerland which were the deep rooted democracies of Europe at that time.

Bagis pointed that even in the 21st century Turkey, there are still steps to be taken to improve the status of women in the society. He added:

'However, in Turkey, which continues to carry out EU accession negotiations, important steps are being taken to improve the legal and de facto status of women.

The Commission for the Equal Opportunities for Women and Men established in TGNA in 2009 will have a unique role in improving the social status of women.

After the first Assembly at the time of Great Ataturk, the highest number of women representatives in the Assembly has been achieved today, at the governing period of our Prime Minister Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose one of the most important political aim is to promote women's social status and to eliminate the discrimination and violence against women.

I wish that women will take their place in the society having equal rights not only on the 8th of March but each day of the year and by this means I congratulate their Women's Day and I pay homage to them.'Resource: AA