WRITTEN QUESTION No. 211/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Council. Overflight by Turkish spy planes of a British base in Cyprus
Date: 1998-02-11
Institutions: DASKALAKI, European Parliament
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, air space, aircraft, peacekeeping, secret service, settlement of disputes, the EU's international role

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/137

(98/C 223/178)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0210/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council

(11 February 1998)

Subject: New cases of arbitrary action by Turkey in the occupied territories

The UK presidency is faced with the additional task of beginning negotiations with the countries earmarked for
accession including Cyprus. Will the Council say whether it is aware of the following:

1.  Allegations that the Turkish occupying forces are selling off the dwellings of Greek Cypriots in the occupied

town of Kythrea, and, indeed, placing advertisements in the British press for this purpose; and

2. 

Italian press reports that the Turkish mafia has opened banks in the occupied part of Cyprus for banking
operations  involving  money  from  illegal  immigration,  drugs-trafficking  and  smuggling?  The  same
publications claim that state officials and Turkish politicians are involved?

If so, what action does it intend to take to address this situation?

Answer

(11 May 1998)

The Council is unaware of the information referred to by the Honourable Member.

With  regard  to  the  accession  negotiations  with  Cyprus,  these  began,  as  with  the  other  five  applicants,  on
31  March  1998.  They  are  based  on  the  principle  of  complete  acceptance  by  the  applicant  countries  of  the
European Union acquis. The acquis comprises a number of measures in the area of justice and home affairs,
including cooperation in combating drugs and organized crime, and the strengthening of the fight against illegal
immigration.

The Council would point out that the European Union(cid:146)s position is that the accession negotiations with Cyprus
will make a positive contribution to finding a political solution to the Cyprus question, by means of the talks
under the aegis of the United Nations. The European Union welcomed the offer made by the Government of the
Republic of Cyprus  to include Turkish  Cypriot representatives  in the  delegation  negotiating the  accession of
Cyprus to the European Union. It regrets that the Turkish Cypriot community(cid:146)s response to this offer has so far
been negative and reiterates the importance it attaches to the involvement of Turkish Cypriots in the accession
process,  in  accordance  with  the  conclusions  of  the  Luxembourg  European  Council.  The  Presidency  and  the
Commission will pursue the necessary contacts.

(98/C 223/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0211/98

by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council

(11 February 1998)

Subject: Overflight by Turkish spy planes of a British base in Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus(cid:146) civil aviation services and the Cypriot National Guard(cid:146)s radar system have recorded the
overflight by two Turkish RF-4 spy planes of the British base of Akrotiri-Episkopi and then of the base of Paphos
on 12 January 1998, violating Cypriot airspace for about one hour.

Will the UK presidency of the Council say whether › and how › it intends to react if such acts of provocation are
stepped up in future, especially against the background of the Cyprus-EU accession negotiations?