Marina Yannakoudakis (ECR), in writing. - Recent events have shown Turkey’s human rights agenda is far behind what is acceptable by EU standards. The government’s approach to the freedom of the press, the social media and the judiciary all put into question Turkey’s application to join the EU. Recent protests in Turkey have highlighted how many feel the government is taking a heavy-handed approach and that it refuses to listen to the people. The government’s positioning in the area of women’s rights, and its lack of support for women is also unacceptable. Having worked on the report ‘Women in Turkey’, I feel there is still a lot more work to do in ensuring women have a respected voice in Turkish society. I would welcome Turkey’s continuing efforts to join the EU, but it must put its own house in order first, and understand that if it joins the EU club it must play by EU rules. If it serious in joining the EU, it must understand that it will be joining a club of 28 Member States – it must respect each and every state and show serious commitment to European values.