WRITTEN QUESTION E-3500/00

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 November 2000)

Subject: Provocative statements by Turkish Minister

Turkey's Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr Sukru Sina Gurel, stated on 11 October 2000, during the ceremony to re-open the University of the Aegean (Ege University) that Turkey does not consider its accession to the EU to be conditional upon either a solution to the Cyprus issue or the settlement of Greek-Turkish differences. To reaffirm his position, the Turkish Minister also referred to the two letters which the Turkish Prime Minister sent to the EU immediately after the Helsinki European Council last December, in which Mr Ecevit stresses Turkey's reluctance to accept any preconditions or terms for its accession to the EU. The Turkish Interior Minister also added that everyone must accept the existence of two states in Cyprus and called on the EU to resolve the problem of racism in its Member States before rushing to criticise Turkey.

What is the Commission's position on the statements which the Turkish Minister for Internal Affairs has aimed at the EU, given that they create an anti-European climate in a country applying for accession and fly in the face of the Helsinki Summit decisions which require Turkey to conduct itself in a manner befitting a European state and to consolidate good neighbourly relations with Greece?

Furthermore, does the Commission accept the Turkish Minister's accusations of racism in the EU when Turkey stands charged with the extermination and expulsion in the 20th century of Greek Cypriots, Asia Minor Greeks, Armenians, and recently, Kurds living on its territory?

Moreover, as the preamble to the Draft Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states: taking inspiration from its spiritual and moral heritage, the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal principles of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity; it is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Will the Commission say what the European tradition in the above spheres has in common with the conduct of the current Turkish regime a state classified as a candidate for accession which persecutes its citizens for their religious and political beliefs, and tortures and imprisons anyone who opposes its objectives?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2000)

The issues raised by the Honourable Member are covered in the conclusions of the European Council of Helsinki held in December 1999. It is on this basis that the Commission in its contacts with Turkey discusses the pre-accession strategy for Turkey, the Cyprus issue and the matter of outstanding border disputes.

The views of the Commission on the issue of minorities living in Turkey have been put forward recently in the draft accession partnership for Turkey, adopted by the Commission on 8 November 2000. In the medium term, Turkey should ensure cultural diversity and guarantee cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin. Any legal provisions preventing these rights should be abolished including in the field of education.

Equally, this document identifies priorities for Turkey, in line with its status as candidate country, to address other human right issues as mentioned by the Honourable Member, such as torture and the further development of freedom of religion.