TO FIGHT AGAINST PREJUDICE AMONG EUROPEAN UNION AND

 TURKISH CITIZENS

 Within the scope of Town Twinning Grant Scheme between Turkey and European Union,as one of the activities of our project named ‘EAGLES: Empowering & Activating the Young Generation though the Learning of Employability Skills’carried out by Ereğli Municipality, it is aimed to provide the development of better relations and sustainable dialogue with our partner, Provincial Government of Teruel and to contribute to fight against prejudice among EU and Turkish citizens.In this context, it was interviewed in Teruel/Spain and our partner, Provincial Government of Teruel and people in Spain were asked their opinions about Turkey and Turkishs’ membership to EU. In addition to this, it was also interviewed in Konya/Ereğli and our partners in Turkey, International Youth Solidarity Association and Ereğli Women Entrepreneurship Association and Turkish citizens were asked their opinons about Europian Union and Europians, and Turkishs’ membership to EU.

WHAT DO TURKS THINK ABOUT EUROPEANS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND ABOUT TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO THE EUROPEAN UNION?

According to the data obtained from the opinions of our partners in Turkey, the International Youth Solidarity Association and the Women Entrepreneurs Association, and the Turkish people on Europeans and the European Union,the European Union is thought as a community including a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious (sectarian), and consisting of many states. Regarding European Union, it is referred on 200 yearly civilization background of Turkey, and it is foreseen that EU will make great contributions in terms of the fact that our country can reach to the level of contemporary civilization. At the same time, when we look at both our government policy and general society, it seems that we are open for reaching to the opportunities within the scope of EU andfor the developments in this regard. However, it is thought that public support began to decrease on the issues such as the resent cyclical developments, Turkey’s security problems, especially pressures originating from Turkey’s geopolitical position, insufficient integration on migrant policy.

On the other hand, according to the data obtained about domestic, social and cultural lifestyle of Europeans, it is mentioned that Europeans' lifestyles are also reflected in family life and families pay great attention their children to grow up as individuals who make their own ways.It is thought that Europeans, in particular, lead a more comfortable life, that children have no trouble having a profession, and that they can develop an autonomous and independent personality.At the same time, the importance of social and cultural activities in Europe is expressed, andit is mentioned that many people who paint or play musical instruments are encountered in the streets and the public supports this situation.

According to the data obtained from the opinions of our partners in Turkey, the International Youth Solidarity Association and the Women Entrepreneurs Association, and the Turkish people on Turkey’s membership to EU, It is thought that Turkey will be positively affected in all aspects and will also have a positive impact on Europe.In this context, when we become a member of the European Union, we can see the 'good' practices in Europe, we can take examples of social and cultural activities in Europe and we can adapt them to our own culture and put them into practice in our country.In this case, it is thought that more tourists can come to our country and we will provide economic gains.With EU membership, it is thought that foreign capital inflows will accelerate, and that domestic investments, economic stability and employment will increase.In addition, one of the biggest advantages of being a member of the EU will be the freedom of travel and labour. It is stated that when we become a member of the European Union, we can travel and work freely in all European countries without any visa requirement.In addition to these, it is thought that Turkey's membership to the European Union will have positive effects in terms of reaching to the level of contemporary civilizationswith regards toTurkey’s government policy and national tendencyas well as being a free, equal and developed element of the world nations.However, it is emphasized that this process should be carried out in concrete, standard, equal and fair measures and that certain stages should be concluded and that the Turkish public should believe in it.On the other hand, the idea that Turkey will not only be a country which benefits from the EU, but also it will be a country which contributes to the EU has been supported and in this context,it has been mentioned Turkey’s contributions to Europe due to Turkey's population, size, geographical position and foreign trade resources. 

 

WHAT DO EUROPEANS THINK ABOUT TURKEY AND TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO THE EUROPEAN UNION?

According to the data obtained from the opinions of our partner in Spain, Provincial Government of Teruel and people in Spain on Turkey, it is thought that Turkey is a nice and great country. It is mentioned that Turkey has a rich and deep-rooted history, and rich cultural heritage.It is obvious that the historical, touristic and cultural features of Turkey attracted attention.At the same time, it is thought thatjust as in Europe,Turkey has also a large number of refugees, and Europe and Turkey have movement of migration by a large number of people.On the other hand, it is referred to the importance of Turkey’s membership to EU in order to be a great country of Turkey and to maintain good relations and sustainable dialogue with Turkey.

According to the data obtained from the opinions of our partner in Spain, Provincial Government of Teruel and people in Spain on Turkey’s membership to EU, it is thought that Turkey’s membership to EU will make a great and important contributions to European and the members of European Union. It is believed that Turkey, which is the bridge connecting the European and Asian continents, will serve as a bridge in order to strengthen the relationships with the Eastern Europe as a country of Eastern Europe and to increase the support. On the other hand, it is thought that Turkey will have an impact on people's migration movements and canhave a good result in order to ensure cultural and political integration with all kinds of people. At the same time, it has been mentioned that it is important for Turkey to become a member of the European Union because it is a great country and can benefit from all the services of the EU.