WRITTEN QUESTION E-1564/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Political dialogue meetings with the Turkish authorities.
Date: 2000-05-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, human rights, international relations, political cooperation, summit meeting

C 113 E/26

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

The central European candidate countries already achieved marked progress in their transition to
competitive market economies. Growth prospects have brightened in view of the positive effects of
domestic adjustment programmes and the improved external environment. The Commission considers
that the candidate countries must continue to pursue their reform efforts, within the framework of the pre-
accession programmes and as set out in more detail in the economic policy strategies as well as the
employment policy reviews jointly prepared by the candidate countries and the Commission. This is
preparing the ground for accession in due time, under conditions conducive to growth and prosperity in
both the accession countries and the present Community.

The Commission has already taken a number of initiatives to strengthen the efficiency and stability of the
Community financial system. These measures include the financial services action plan, which should be
implemented by 2005 (Lisbon European Council) and the recent review of the Community capital
adequacy framework.

Progress has also been made on the reform of the architecture of the international monetary system.
Discussions on these issues have been taking place in different fora, including the International monetary
fund (IMF) and the Group of seven most industrialised nations (G7). In order to accommodate the reality
of new emerging markets and of Economic and monetary union (EMU), the Commission is prepared to
play an active role in preparing and negotiating common positions, both internally and with G7 partners.
Until now, however, Member States have been reluctant to allow the Community dimension to become
more visible at international level.

(2001/C 113 E/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1564/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(24 May 2000)

Subject: Political dialogue meetings with the Turkish authorities

In answer to written question E-0028/00 (1) the Council states that it raises human rights issues at all
political dialogue meetings with the Turkish authorities at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and
political directors.

1.
Since when has the Council been raising human rights issues (cid:145)at all political dialogue meetings with
the Turkish authorities at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and political directors(cid:146)? (Please supply
dates and places of meetings and a list of persons present)

2. What human rights issues have been raised at the political dialogue meetings (Please supply dates and
places of meetings, lists of persons present and the response of the Turkish authorities)

(1) OJ C 280 E, 3.10.2000, p. 162.

Reply

(30 November 2000)

1.
At the meeting of the EC-Turkey Association Council on 6 March 1995, the EU and Turkey decided
to intensify the political dialogue at different levels. In that meeting, the EU also raised human rights and
fundamental freedoms, noting (cid:129) among other things (cid:129) that progress in the field of human rights was
insufficient since human rights violations still took place, newspapers were closed, journalists and authors
persecuted specifically mentioning Mr Kemal and Mr Birdal as well as detained Turkish parliamentarians.

At the following EC-Turkey Association Council meetings on 30 October 1995 and 29 April 1997,
2.
the EU again, among other things, reminded Turkey of the close interest the EU takes in human rights and
looked forward to a situation in which respect for human rights in Turkey will meet the standards required
of a potential member of the EU, especially noting the importance of conducting the fight against
terrorism with due respect for human rights and the rule of law. A further strengthening of the EU-
Turkey relationship was dependent on these factors.

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/27

The political dialogue with Turkey was interrupted following the Luxembourg European Council
3.
in December 1997 and Turkey was during a period not willing to discuss (cid:145)political issues(cid:146), such as human
rights, with the European Union.

its reforms. This will

In its conclusions of December 1999, the Helsinki European Council welcomed (cid:145)recent positive
4.
developments in Turkey as noted in the Commission(cid:146)s progress report, as well as its intention to continue
its reforms towards complying with the Copenhagen criteria. Turkey is a candidate State destined to join
the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to the other candidate States. Building on the
existing European strategy, Turkey, like other candidate States, will benefit from a pre-accession strategy to
include enhanced political dialogue, with emphasis on
stimulate and support
progressing towards fulfilling the political criteria for accession with particular reference to the issue of
human rights, as well as on the issues referred to in paragraphs 4 and 9(a)(cid:146). The Council draws the
attention of the Honourable Member to point 4 where (cid:145)The European Council reaffirms the inclusive
nature of the accession process, which now comprises 13 candidate States within a single framework. The
candidate States are participating in the accession process on an equal footing. They must share the values
and objectives of the European Union as set out in the Treaties. In this respect the European Council
stresses the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter and
urges candidate States to make every effort to resolve any outstanding border disputes and other related
issues. Failing this they should within a reasonable time bring the dispute to the International Court of
Justice. The European Council will review the situation relating to any outstanding disputes, in particular
concerning the repercussions on the accession process and in order to promote their settlement through
the International Court of Justice, at the latest by the end of 2004. Moreover, the European Council recalls
that compliance with the political criteria laid down at the Copenhagen European Council is a prerequisite
for the opening of accession negotiations and that compliance with all the Copenhagen criteria is the basis
for accession to the Union.(cid:146)

In point 9(a) the European Council
(cid:145)welcomes the launch of the talks aiming at a comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus problem on 3 December in New York and expresses its strong support for the
UN Secretary-General(cid:146)s efforts to bring the process to a successful conclusion.(cid:146) An Association Council
meeting was held on 11 April 2000 in Luxembourg, at which human rights were discussed against the
background of the Copenhagen political criteria, which all candidate States must comply with before
accession negotiations may be initiated. The EU noted that Turkey had embarked on a process of reform in
this area. The EU looked forward to further progress and would continue to closely monitor developments
in Turkey and,
if necessary, raise individual cases with Turkish authorities. The EU also mentioned
specifically the EU position on capital punishment, encouraging Turkey to become party to Protocol No 6
to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

5.
These questions were raised at a working lunch between the political directors of the fifteen Member
States and their Turkish counterpart on 30 March 2000. Since the re-arrest of Mr Birdal constituted a
serious setback for freedom of expression in Turkey and was not in keeping with the spirit of the Helsinki
conclusions, the need for Turkey to implement the necessary reforms to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria was
reiterated during the lunch. It should be noted that Mr Akim Birdal has since been released.

6.
At meetings of the EC-Turkey Association Council, the EU delegation is led by the President of the
Council and the Turkish delegation by the Turkish Foreign Minister. The Member of the European
Commission responsible for enlargement is also present.

(2001/C 113 E/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1568/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Government aid for audiovisual productions

The Commission wants to confine government aid for audiovisual productions to half the total budget.
This proposal is the first occasion that the Commission has applied the competition rules in full in the area
of cultural policy.