# CE2004065EN.01011001.xml

| 13.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 65/110 |
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13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 65/110

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(2004/C 65 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2082/03

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 June 2003)

Subject:   Violations of Greek air space by Turkish aircraft and security of the inhabitants of the Aegean

Subject:

During a recent visit to the border islands of Samos and Ikaria I experienced the deep anxiety felt by the inhabitants at the constant, provocative violations of Aegean air space by Turkish warplanes and the impact which they have on the lives and security of the local people as well as their livelihood in the tourist industry.

The alarm was compounded, in particular, following the recent incident in which two Turkish F16 fighters harassed an Olympic Airways flight bound for Istanbul from Athens.

What view does the Council take of Turkey's conduct in this respect and what measures will it take forthwith to put an end to such violations by Turkey?

What measures will it take to address the insecurity felt by European citizens living in or travelling through the Aegean and to restore normality and peace to the wider region?

Reply

(17 November 2003)

(17 November 2003)

| 1. | The Council is aware of the incidents mentioned by the Honourable Member. It is also aware of complaints about an increasing number of violations of Greek airspace by Turkish military aircraft, and of the sensitive nature of this question in Greece. Such incidents do unfortunately contrast with the general improvement in neighbourly relations between Greece and Turkey since 1999. |
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1.

The Council is aware of the incidents mentioned by the Honourable Member. It is also aware of complaints about an increasing number of violations of Greek airspace by Turkish military aircraft, and of the sensitive nature of this question in Greece. Such incidents do unfortunately contrast with the general improvement in neighbourly relations between Greece and Turkey since 1999.

| 2. | The Council considers that Turkey as a candidate State, must — pursuant to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter — make every effort to prevent tension, in the spirit of point 4 of the Helsinki conclusions. This is, moreover, made a specific priority in the revised version of the Turkey Accession Partnership Agreement. In line with the Helsinki conclusions, the European Council will have to review the situation in this respect, including its repercussions on the accession process, before the end of 2004. |
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2.

The Council considers that Turkey as a candidate State, must — pursuant to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter — make every effort to prevent tension, in the spirit of point 4 of the Helsinki conclusions. This is, moreover, made a specific priority in the revised version of the Turkey Accession Partnership Agreement. In line with the Helsinki conclusions, the European Council will have to review the situation in this respect, including its repercussions on the accession process, before the end of 2004.

| 3. | In the framework of political dialogue, the Council regularly encourages Turkey to continue making efforts to prevent tensions — for instance through confidence-building measures in sensitive areas — and to work together with its neighbour towards reaching an understanding on issues where they have diverging views and interpretations of relevant international law. |
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3.

In the framework of political dialogue, the Council regularly encourages Turkey to continue making efforts to prevent tensions — for instance through confidence-building measures in sensitive areas — and to work together with its neighbour towards reaching an understanding on issues where they have diverging views and interpretations of relevant international law.

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