WRITTEN QUESTION P-0054/01

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(16 January 2001)

Subject: Political dialogue meetings with the Turkish authorities

In reply to Written Question E 1564/00(1) on political dialogue meetings with the Turkish authorities the following is stated: The European Council will review the situation relating to any outstanding disputes, in particular concerning the repercussions on the accession process and in order to promote their settlement through the International Court of Justice, at the latest by the end of 2004. But the Council's answer refers in that connection only to the Cyprus problem.

1. Is the Council prepared to evaluate all disputes, including in particular the Kurdish problem and the Armenian problem?

If so, when and how will those issues be raised? If not, can the Council state its reasons for not considering those problems as outstanding disputes?

2. What is the Council's understanding of respect for minorities as specified in the Copenhagen criteria?

3. What (additional) action will the Council take to find a solution to the Kurdish problem, given that the Turkish government has not hitherto been prepared to compromise on efforts aimed at securing Kurdish self-government?

(1) OJ C 113 E, 18.4.2001, p. 26.

Reply

(12 March 2001)

The reply to Written Question E 1564/00 was a reference to paragraph 4 of the Helsinki European Council Conclusions, and was intended to cover only any outstanding border disputes and other related issues. The border issue is included among the medium-term priorities in the Accession Partnership.

The other specific issues raised in the question are also taken into account in the Accession Partnership on which the Council reached political agreement on 4 December 2000 and in the political dialogue with Turkey.

The Accession Partnership under the heading Enhanced political dialogue and political criteria identifies inter alia the following short and medium term priorities and intermediate objectives:

1. With regard to Cyprus; in accordance with the Helsinki conclusions, in the context of the political dialogue, strongly support the UN Secretary's General efforts to bring to a successful conclusion the process of finding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, as referred in the point 9 (a) of the Helsinki conclusions (short-term).

2. With regard to the Kurdish problem and minorities:

- Remove any legal provisions forbidding the use by Turkish citizens of their mother tongue in TV/radio broadcasting (short-term);

- Develop a comprehensive approach to reduce regional disparities, and in particular to improve the situation in the South-East, with a view to enhancing economic, social and cultural opportunities for all citizens (short-term);

- Lift the remaining state of emergency in the South-East (medium-term);

- Ensure cultural diversity and guarantee cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin. Any legal provisions preventing the enjoyment of these rights should be abolished, including in the field of education (medium-term).

The priorities listed under the short term have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that Turkey can complete or take them substantially forward by the end of 2001. The priorities listed under the medium term are expected to take more than one year to complete although work should, wherever possible, also begin on them during 2001. Turkey is expected to adopt before long a National Programme for the adoption of the Acquis which should be compatible with the Accession Partnership.

With regard to Armenia, the Commission's Regular Report notes that Turkey continues to further develop mutual relations with mldr the Caucasus and that Turkey still maintains its border with Armenia closed (Chapter 27: Common foreign and security policy). The Turkish Government is currently re-examining Turkey's policy towards Armenia.

The Council and the Commission will discuss regularly with Turkey and keep under review the issues referred to in the Accession Partnership and in the Commission's Regular Report as part of Turkey's preparation for EU accession.