A4-0251/98

Resolution on the Commission reports on developments in relations with Turkey since the entry into force of the Customs Union (COM(96)0491 - C4-0605/96 and COM(98)0147 - C4-0217/98)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission reports (COM(96)0491 - C4-0605/96 and COM(98)0147 - C4-0217/98),

- having regard to its assent of 13 December 1995 to the common position of the Community in the EC-Turkey Association Council on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union ((OJ C 17, 22.1.1996, p. 43.)), its opinion of 13 December 1995 on the proposal for a Council Regulation regarding the implementation of a special financial cooperation measure for Turkey ((OJ C 17, 22.1.1996, p. 43.)) and its resolution on the human rights situation in Turkey of the same date ((OJ C 17, 22.1.1996, p. 46.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 18 January 1996 on the situation in Turkey and the offer of a ceasefire made by the PKK ((OJ C 32, 5.2.1996, p. 93.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 15 February 1996 on the outcome of the conciliation procedure provided for in the Joint Declaration of 4 March 1975 by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a Council Regulation regarding the implementation of a special financial cooperation measure for Turkey ((OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 155.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 15 February 1996 on the provocative actions and contestation of sovereign rights by Turkey against a Member State of the Union ((OJ C 65, 4.3.1996, p. 156.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 20 June 1996 on human rights and the situation in Turkey ((OJ C 198, 8.7.1996, p. 208.)),

- having regard to its opinion of 18 July 1996 on the proposal for a Council Decision laying down the procedure for adopting the Community's position in the Customs Union Joint Committee set up by Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council on the implementation of the final phase of the Customs Union ((OJ C 261, 9.9.1996, p. 146.)),

- having regard to its resolutions of 19 September 1996 on the political situation in Turkey ((OJ C 320, 28.10.1996, p. 187.)) and on the situation in the Kurdish security zone in northern Iraq ((OJ C 320, 28.10.1996, p. 189.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 24 October 1996 on violations of religious freedom in Turkey ((OJ C 347, 18.11.1996, p. 162.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 12 December 1996 on freedom of the press and human rights in Turkey ((OJ C 20, 20.1.1997, p. 143.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 13 March 1997 on the release of Leyla Zana ((OJ C 115, 14.4.1997, p. 173.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 15 May 1997 on freedom of the media in Turkey ((OJ C 167, 2.6.1997, p. 156.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 12 June 1997 on the abolition of the death penalty ((OJ C 200, 30.6.1997, p. 171.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 17 July 1997 on the situation in Turkey and northern Iraq ((OJ C 286, 22.9.1997, p. 258.)),

- having regard to its opinion of 18 November 1997 on the proposal for a Council Decision laying down the procedure for adopting the Community's position in the Customs Union Joint Committee set up by Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council on the implementation of the final phase of the Customs Union (reconsultation) ((OJ C 371, 8.12.1997, p. 34.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 15 January 1998 on Kurdish refugees and on the position of the European Union ((OJ C 34, 2.2.1998, p. 154.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 14 May 1998 on Turkey, in which it expressed its abhorrence at the attack on Akin Birdal, President of the Turkish Human Rights Association ((Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 12(c).)),

- having regard to the conclusions of the EU-Turkey Association Council of 29 April 1997,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs (A4-0251/98),

A. whereas its assent to the Customs Union was given on the understanding that Turkey would introduce political reforms that would bring it closer to fulfilling the criteria for accession to the European Union,

B. whereas the Commission¨s conclusion is that 'no substantial progress has been achieved as regards human rights and the democratic reform process in Turkey',

C. whereas, following an initial imbalance between exports and imports in the first year of the Customs Union, trade figures for 1997 suggest that Turkish exports to the EU are now rising faster than Turkish imports from the EU,

D. whereas there is now a need to examine in greater detail the budgetary impact, in terms of Union revenue, of implementing and deepening the customs union;

E. having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 12 and 13 December 1997, which reaffirm Turkey's eligibility to become a member of the European Union and having regard also to the conditions which Turkey must satisfy in order to obtain such membership,

F. whereas relations between the European Union and Turkey must develop with due respect for the mutual undertakings they have given in the context of different agreements,

G. whereas the development of a democratic state subject to the rule of law in Turkey is impeded by severe structural problems,

H. alarmed at the Turkish stance on resolving the Cyprus issue: pointing out that such a stance further complicates relations between the Union and Turkey,

I. having regard to the various specific measures proposed by the Commission, which could constitute a basis for a new beginning in long-term relations with Turkey provided that the country demonstrates in practical terms that it is ready to adjust to European standards in respect of human rights, minorities and the development of good relations with its neighbouring countries,

1. Agrees with the Commission that the Customs Union is, in general, working satisfactorily and welcomes the latest trends towards a rebalancing of the increased trade between the EU and Turkey which is one of its consequences;

2. Urges the Commission to monitor how Turkish society is being affected in social terms by the EC-Turkey Customs Union Agreement;

3. Reiterates its support for proposals from Turkish civil society aimed at achieving improvements in Turkish democracy and in human rights which would bring it into line with EU standards and fulfil promises made by the Turkish authorities when the Customs Union agreement was signed, including constitutional guarantees of human rights, minority rights, respect for fundamental freedoms, the right of freedom of expression for all and the accountability of the military to the country's political authorities, on the basis of international pacts and the European Convention on Human Rights to which Turkey is a signatory;

4. Wishes to make it clear that it will examine Turkey, like all other applicant countries, in the light of the Copenhagen criteria;

5. Gives its full encouragement to the pursuit of constructive dialogue through the bodies provided for under the Association Agreement - the Association Council and the Joint Parliamentary Committee - whose work has recently resumed; with this in mind, contacts should be encouraged between the European Parliament and Turkish political parties and foundations, and the organisations of civil society;

6. Regrets that some of the ministerial meetings between Turkish and European representatives responsible for different sectors relating to the functioning of the Customs Union (trade, markets, transport) which were provided for in the 1995 resolutions of the Association Council have not yet been held and asks both parties to ensure that they take place as soon as possible;

7. Welcomes the setting up of the interinstitutional working party between the European Parliament and the Commission (further to its resolution of 19 September 1996 on the political situation in Turkey) to examine projects under the MEDA programme and reiterates that only projects agreed to by the working party and which have been duly expounded before the competent bodies may be granted a financial commitment; points out that, on Parliament's initiative, another working party, on democracy and the protection of human rights, has been set up, which should coordinate with the work of the abovementioned interinstitutional working party;

8. Calls on the Council to inform Parliament of any initiatives taken jointly with the Turkish authorities allowing adoption of the financial regulation concerning special aid for Turkey to go ahead;

9. Acknowledges the structural problems that Turkey has in establishing a well-functioning constitutional state and in adapting and creating the institutions forming part thereof and, in this connection, calls on the Commission to consider whether a specific budgetary item for Turkey should be included in the MEDA programme on democracy;

10. Calls on the Commission to continue with its annual examination of relations with Turkey, with all due attention and in a spirit of refusal of compromise, since it is essential that it should be possible to apply the Customs Union agreement with Turkey in all its provisions, including the financial ones; insists that the Commission should publish its annual report in time for it to be available during the consideration, in Parliament, of the following year's budget;

11. Notes the Commission's observations that most of the proposals aimed at consolidating the customs union and developing European-Turkish relations beyond the customs union cannot be implemented without a contribution from the European Union budget, at least in their initial phase;

12. Points out in this regard that the budgetary and financial impact of these proposals will be examined and determined by the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedures;

13. Takes note of the considerable development in economic relations within the Customs Union with Turkey and the progressive alignment of Turkish legislation and tariff schemes with EU measures; considers, however, that the customs law should be improved and implemented as soon as possible in order to ensure the existence of legislation covering all administrative procedures; stresses the need for a commitment by the Turkish Government to strengthen legislation on intellectual property so as to combat counterfeiting;

14. Takes note, furthermore, of the major and persistent imbalance in commercial relations and of the need to help Turkey in its efforts at adapting and restructuring its economy; considers that, on the basis of Decision 1/95 of the Association Council, efforts should be directed towards financial cooperation in certain priority sectors such as energy, the environment, vocational training and reform of the civil service;

15. Calls on the Commission to assess the programmes provided for the applicant countries with which Turkey might be associated and hopes in particular that Turkey will participate directly in the following programmes: Socrates, Leonardo, Youth for Europe, Kaleidoscope, Raphael, LIFE, SAVE, AIDS Prevention, and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women;

16. Calls on the Commission to rule out any measures which would isolate Turkey and thus prevent any improvement in its political system, the living conditions of the population and the human rights situation;

17. Notes the Commission's desire, as reflected in the strategy for Turkey it has submitted, to extend the Customs Union in specific sectors (transit, public contracts, harmonization of laws);

18. Recalls the proposals made at the fourth meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee (Gaziantep, 12 June 1997), with particular regard to the priorities for aid for 'civil society' and participation by Turkey in Community programmes;

19. Calls on Turkey to assist the resumption of intercommunal talks on the basis of the UN resolutions and Summit agreements on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and to take practical steps to withdraw military forces from Cyprus in order to further the demilitarization of the island;

20. Fully agrees with the Commission on the importance of the following points:

- continuing democratization, safeguarding human rights and establishing political control of the armed forces,

- establishing good neighbourly relations between Greece and Turkey and between Turkey and all its neighbouring countries,

- respect for the principles of international law in attempting to resolve the differences in the Aegean, with particular reference to the island of Imia and the demarcation of the continental shelf,

- finding a solution to the Cyprus question which respects both communities' cultural and political identities and includes Turkey's adoption of United Nations resolutions and acceptance of offers to mediate;

21. Reaffirms its view that a solution of the conflict in the south east can only by achieved politically and supports proposals aimed at providing legal recognition of Kurdish identity and national and international initiatives which could promote dialogue and negotiation between the parties; points to the need for a ceasefire and calls on the Turkish authorities to seek a peaceful negotiated political solution to the Kurdish question;

22. Condemns the invasion of northern Iraq and considers that the need to deal with PKK terrorism does not justify the violation of international borders; the problem should be dealt with on the basis of respect for the rule of law and the international conventions to which Turkey is a party;

23. Calls for the immediate release of Leyla Zana, to whom Parliament has already awarded its Sakharov Prize, and the other political prisoners;

24. Urges the Turkish Government to take vigorous action to put an end to Turkey's position in international drug trafficking and calls on Turkey to work intensively with the EU to combat such trade;

25. Insists on the need for the renewal of political dialogue;

26. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the governments and parliaments of the countries taking part in the Europe Conference, the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Turkish Government.