WRITTEN QUESTION E-3499/00

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(13 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 Council'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 Council 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 Council 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?

Reply

(8 March 2001)

1. At its meeting in December 2000 the Council reached political agreement among the Fifteen on the text of the draft Framework Regulation and the

draft Council Decision on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership for Turkey. The solution to the questions raised remains strictly within the framework of the Helsinki European Council conclusions, which form the defining basis for relations between the European Union and Turkey in the context of the pre-accession process. In the short term, the Cyprus issue and, in the medium term, the issue of the settlement of territorial disputes are referred to in the abovementioned decision as elements of the political dialogue and political criteria. It is clear that the political dialogue must not ignore any of the issues which will have to be dealt with in the context of new partnership relations between the EU and Turkey.

2. Furthermore, the Accession Partnership indicates the priority areas for Turkey's membership preparations. It should therefore be equally clear and moreover, this is explicitly stated in the draft Decision that Turkey must address all issues identified in the Regular Report. Turkey is expected to adopt a national programme for the adoption of the acquis on the basis of its Accession Partnership. That programme does not form an integral part of the Partnership, but its priorities should be compatible with it. The Council has, in that respect, taken note of the European Commission's recent progress report on Turkey in which the reforms in Turkey necessary for EU accession are clearly set out.

3. The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the Helsinki European Council reaffirmed that compliance with the Copenhagen political criteria is a prerequisite for the opening of accession negotiations.