# CE2004078EN.01038201.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/382 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/382

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(2004/C 78 E/0404)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1669/03

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 May 2003)

Subject:   Baku-Ceyhun oil pipeline

Subject:

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline is a proposed pipeline that would span 1 760 kilometres from the Azerbaijan capital of Baku to the Mediterranean city of Ceyhan, Turkey. A gas pipeline also is planned to follow the same route. British Petroleum (BP) is the lead sponsor; there are nine other participants in the consortium. The BTC consortium is seeking the political and financial support of their countries' export credit agencies, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group.

A HGA Agreement has been signed by the consortium with the Turkish government which is extremely far-reaching, effectively prohibiting the Turkish government from introducing any laws which might undermine the economic success of the project (e.g. laws to protect the environment or for social goals).

The Agreement also paves the way for the consortium building the pipeline to demand unlimited protection from Turkish security forces, without safeguards against human rights abuses. Under the vague wording of the agreement, paramilitary units could be placed along the pipeline route to pre-empt ‘civil disturbance’ or ‘terrorist’ activities. The record of the Turkish military on human rights — particularly in the Kurdish areas — gives serious cause for concern.

How does the Commission view these security commitments being demanded from the Turkish government, especially given this is an area of Turkey where human rights abuses on the part of the Turkish authorities have been common?

Does the Commission believe that this agreement is likely to call into question the accession conditions laid down in the Copenhagen criteria for democracy, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities?

Does the Commission believe, furthermore, that this excessive interference by corporate bodies in the freedom of action of a sovereign state may result in actions contrary to EU standards on protection of the environment?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2003)

(23 June 2003)

The Commission is aware of the proposed construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and of the related Host Government Agreement, signed by the consortium with the Turkish Government. The Commission has received various reports about potentially far reaching effects, and its implications for the environment and for the public.

Any negative development arising from the implementation agreement referred to by the Honourable Member will have to be seen in the light of the Copenhagen criteria for accession, including the political criteria concerning human rights and the protection of minorities.

The Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of this project in respect of accession conditions laid down in the Copenhagen criteria.

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