WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2058/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Demographic composition of present-day Turkey
Date: 1997-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Türkiye, accession to the European Union, composition of the population, ethnic group, indigenous population, population census

22. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 21/137

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to written question P-1940/97 from
Mr Fernando Moriz (1).

The report mentioned can in no way be considered an official document of the Commission.

(1)  OJ C 373, 9.12.1997.

(98/C 21/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2056/97

by Frode Kristoffersen (PPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1997)

Subject: Ethnic minorities

Since, when new Member States are accepted into the EU, the quality of the rules they have adopted to benefit
ethnic minorities are to be given proper consideration, will both the representatives of the ethnic minorities in
person and non-governmental organizations such as the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) also be
actively involved in the assessment process?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1997)

In order to assess › in keeping with the political criteria laid down by the 1993 Copenhagen European Council ›
the situation of minorities and the protection granted to them by countries which have applied to accede to the
EU, the Commission has read reports from several non-governmental organisations which will be of great use to
it in preparing the opinions which it has to deliver pursuant to Article O of the Treaty on European Union on the
applications for membership from the countries in question.

The  Commission  has  not  been  acquainted,  however,  with  the  position  of  the  federation  referred  to  by  the
Honourable Member.

(98/C 21/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2058/97

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(16 June 1997)

Subject: Demographic composition of present-day Turkey

The prestigious German University of Tu¤bingen has published a report stating that Anatolia is populated by over
a  hundred  indigenous  peoples,  and  that  citizens  of  Turkish  extraction  very  likely  constitute  only  a  marginal
minority. It is also generally recognised that there are innumerable (cid:145)crypto-Christians(cid:146) on Turkish territory, who
are reluctant openly to declare their ethnic origin and faith for fear of the treatment they may receive at the hands
of  the  Turkish  authorities.  Moreover,  information  about  the  precise  number  of  Kurds  living  in  Turkey  is
confused, with estimates varying between eight and twenty million.

Will the Commission say whether it has raised › or intends to raise in future › with the Turkish authorities the
question of establishing a precise and objective register of the demographic composition of present-day Turkey,
given the intention of both sides (the EU and Turkey) to incorporate this country in the European project, an
objective that can be attained only if the cultural identity of all ethnic groups living in this country is fully and
devoutly respected?