# CE2004084EN.01003701.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/37 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/37

---

(2004/C 84 E/0041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2764/03

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(16 September 2003)

Subject:   National land register in Turkey and property on the island of Imvros

Subject:

According to the Imvros Association of Athens, the implementation of the Turkish national land register on Imvros has led to the loss of most of Greek property on the island which has been arbitrarily registered as belonging to the Turkish State. According to the results of the land register carried out in June 2003, 100 % of the uncultivated land in the village of Agridia on Imvros which is a purely Greek village has been registered as belonging to the Turkish State, although Greeks hold legal property titles to this land. Bearing in mind a previous statement by the Council that Turkish-EU relations must be based on a clear commitment to respect law and international agreements, and given that the Treaty of Lausanne provides for self-rule for the Greek inhabitants of Imvros and Tenedos and in particular for respect for their language, religion and property and that Turkey is a candidate country, will the Council say how it intends to intervene with the Turkish authorities to guarantee the protection of the property of Greek on Imvros?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

(8 March 2004)

| 1. | The Council is well aware that under the Lausanne treaty Turkey has obligations towards non-Moslem minorities as regards the protection of persons and property. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The Council is well aware that under the Lausanne treaty Turkey has obligations towards non-Moslem minorities as regards the protection of persons and property.

| 2. | The Council expects all countries aspiring to EU membership to respect international law and their treaty obligations, in particular in the field of human rights. Moreover, Turkey should ensure full and effective implementation of reforms to ensure that Turkish citizens can enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with European standards including civil and property rights. This is being constantly made clear to Turkey and is also reflected in the revised Turkey accession partnership by the relevant priority, requesting Turkey to ‘comply with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms’. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Council expects all countries aspiring to EU membership to respect international law and their treaty obligations, in particular in the field of human rights. Moreover, Turkey should ensure full and effective implementation of reforms to ensure that Turkish citizens can enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with European standards including civil and property rights. This is being constantly made clear to Turkey and is also reflected in the revised Turkey accession partnership by the relevant priority, requesting Turkey to ‘comply with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms’.

| 3. | The Council is keeping the matter under close review and will continue to make this point. The Commission's regular report for 2003 on Turkey's progress in the accession process, (November 2003), [will give] a full assessment of the State of Turkey's compliance with membership requirements. Human rights — including the implementation aspect — will feature prominently in this report. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The Council is keeping the matter under close review and will continue to make this point. The Commission's regular report for 2003 on Turkey's progress in the accession process, (November 2003), [will give] a full assessment of the State of Turkey's compliance with membership requirements. Human rights — including the implementation aspect — will feature prominently in this report.

| 4. | Specific action in respect of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member is not being considered at this stage. |
| --- | --- |

4.

Specific action in respect of the facts referred to by the Honourable Member is not being considered at this stage.

---