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WRITTEN QUESTION No. 263/96 by Irini LAMBRAKI to the Council. Violation of international law by Turkey
Date: 1996-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, LAMBRAKI
Subjects: Aegean Islands, EU relations, Greece, Türkiye, agreement (EU), customs union, international conflict













EUR-Lex - 91996E0263 - EN






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91996E0263

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 263/96 by Irini LAMBRAKI to the Council. Violation of international law by Turkey  


Official Journal C 280 , 25/09/1996 P. 0013 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-0263/96 by Irini Lambraki (PSE) to the Council (2 February 1996)Subject: Violation of international law by TurkeyOn 28 January 1996, the Turkish flag was provocatively raised on the Greek island of Imia in the Dodecanese. This followed a number of provocative statements by leading Turkish politicians.What measures will the Council take in response to increasing provocation by the Turkish Government which is not only continuing to flout human rights but is now also, following the customs union with the EU, blatantly violating international law and the EU's external borders, thereby jeopardizing peace in the Aegean?Joint Reply (11 June 1996)The Council Presidency made a statement on the conflict between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea before the European Parliament on 14 February 1996. According to it the Union cannot fail to be concerned by the latest instances of friction involving, on the one hand, a Member State with which exists fundamental and strong solidarity and, on the other hand, a neighbouring country which has a key part to play in the region, and with which Europe has for decades enjoyed a relationship of dialogue and collaboration.The Presidency noted that the matter had not been officially brought before the European Union. Accordingly, it had not undertaken any formal intervention. However, the Presidency had decided, while maintaining all appropriate contacts with Athens, to open up a channel of communication through relevant embassies that would enable it to keep in close touch with Turkey right from the initial stages of the crisis. The Presidency's aim was to promote a peaceful solution of the conflict and the normalization of bilateral relations; the first step should be to agree on a methodology to be followed in pursuit of this aim, paying special attention to the possibility of appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague or international arbitration, or a combination of these or other means.Further, Italy was endeavouring to meet Greece's request to trace the relevant legal texts, which date back to 1932 and 1947, in a spirit of maximum solidarity with a fellow member of the European Union.In addition, the Council would like to remind, that if need be, any member of the Council or the Commission can request for inclusion of this item on the agenda of the meeting.It is in this framework that the Council can best contribute to confidence building between a Member State and a close cooperation partner.