The first meeting of TÜSİAD High Advisory Council for the year of 2012 was held with the participation of Mr. Egemen Bağış, Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator and Dr. Javier Solana Former EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. In the meeting, the “TÜSİAD Bosphorus Prize for European Understanding” was presented to Dr. Javier Solana.
TÜSİAD High Advisory Council Meeting was held on June 14th, 2012 at the Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel. Opening speeches of the meeting were delivered by Mr. Erkut Yücaoğlu, Chairman of TÜSİAD High Advisory Council and Mrs. Ümit Boyner, President of the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD.
In his speech, Mr. Erkut Yücaoğlu indicated three topics he wants to be handled adequately in the new constitution, namely “the liberal, individual-rights oriented democracy, suitable for EU accession, the balanced application of the principle of separation of forces, and the genuine framework of a state of law”. Mr. Yücaoğlu reminded that there are unambiguous warnings for Turkey to be learned from the financial crisis of EU, and he underlined the necessity of keeping note of these warning.
Ms. Ümit Boyner remarked in her speech that EU accession process, while it hesitates, even regresses time and again, it is a national cause never to give up. She stated that the essential aim of this cause is to make Turkey an exemplary, enviable country. Ms. Boyner noted that there are people who believe that TÜSİAD is sometimes too expressive about its opinion on non economic issues and she said “We know that economics is not solely about the economy. EU harmonization process is a constant reminder of this fact.” Ms Ümit Boyner touched also upon the current question of “abortion” and she stated that “the current discussion about the abortion and particularly certain statements nearly saying that violation is natural, offended and injured not only the women, but every conscientious segment of the society.”