Progress for real gender equality and empowerment of women should be fully supported by the Turkish government and the EU. In addition to being an aim in itself equality between men and women is a prerequisite for meeting the EU 2020 objectives.

Non-declared work as part of the so-called informal economy is clearly manifest in all national economies. Although there are notable quantitative and qualitative differences between Member States in the EU 15 as well as in the CEE countries, the broad existence of undeclared work presents national governments as well as the European institutions with a lot of legal, social and economic, but also ethical problems and challenges.

Building a complementary and efficient food inspection system under the idea of food safety from the farm to the table can enable the supply of reliable food to the consumers and the protection of consumer rights and health as well as avoiding unfair competition in the sector.

The JCC hopes that fruitful cooperation will be established between the newly appointed Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy and the JCC. The JCC is convinced that a true dialogue between the European Commission and the civil society organisations represented in the JCC would benefit the accession negotiations and lead to a better understanding of the process both in the EU and Turkey.

"Europe needs to project a coherent image also in terms of trade marks – in spite of the existence of national trade marks. The EESC's support on this issue would be most valuable"