ISTANBUL - State Minister Guldal Aksit said on Sunday that the European Union (EU) term presidency of Italy was a chance for Turkey and they would evaluate this advantage in the best way.
Aksit held a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport after attending a conference in Siracusa, Italy on ''women in decision making mechanism.''
Aksit said that two sessions on ''women in political decision making mechanism'' and ''role of women in economy'' were held on the first day of the meeting in which ministers, high-ranking officials and non-governmental organizations of EU member countries attended and she added that she made a speech in the meeting.
Aksit said that she recalled that women gained the right to vote and be elected in many countries of Europe after 1960 and this right was given to Turkish women in 1934 and 18 women deputies entered parliament in the first by-elections held in 1935.
Noting that they were proud of it, Aksit said that however, Turkey could not reach to desired level today. She added that the common problem of all European countries was that the representation of women in politics could not reach a point without quota.
Aksit said that they mainly discussed in the meetings how women could take part in politics more and whether this quota was necessary for women to participate in politics more and the percentage of this quota.
She said that she explained the changes which Turkey made regarding women, family and working within the process of adjustment to EU.
Noting that those concrete things pleased other countries, Aksit said, ''Italian minister especially thanked Turkey for its efforts in adjustment process as EU candidate. The interest that Italy has showed to me was very different. Italy's EU term presidency is a big chance for us. We intend to evaluate this advantage in the best way. I hope these activities will be beneficial in the coming process.''
(GC-AÖ) 15.09.2003