WRITTEN QUESTION P-1802/00 by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Ozgur case.
Date: 2000-05-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, common foreign and security policy, freedom of expression, occupied territory, right to justice

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/121

As regards the alleged presence of state aid and its compatibility with the common market,
Commission can not prejudge its position, as it is not aware of the nature of the reported scheme.

the

The Commission will write to the Danish authorities for more information.

(2001/C 72 E/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1802/00

by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Ozgur case

territory under Turkish occupation, on the charge of

The Turkish Cypriot politician Ozker Ozgur is to be committed to trial on 26 May by the authorities of
In fact,
the Cypriot
proceedings are being taken against Mr Ozgur, together with the editor and staff of the newspaper
Avrupa, because in his articles he has repeatedly opposed the expulsion of citizens from their houses so
that these may be used by Turkish soldiers. Mr Ozgur states that he refuses to be tried by an (cid:145)occupation(cid:146)
court. This case forms one of a series of indirect interventions by the Turkish military establishment,
designed to maintain Mr Denktash as leader of the Turkish Cypriot people. As well as the wider issue of
the functioning of democracy, Mr Ozgur(cid:146)s case undoubtedly constitutes a flagrant violation of individual
rights and, of course, freedom of expression.

to rebellion(cid:146).

(cid:145)incitement

Does the Commission intend to examine the question of the continued violation of individual and human
rights in the sector of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops, and how does it intend to intervene in order to
ensure a fair trial?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2000)

The Commission is well aware of the recent committal to trial of the Turkish Cypriot politician Ozker
Ozgur raised by the Honourable Member and will be following developments closely. The same is the case
for the editor and staff of the newspaper Avrupa. Each year the Commission produces a regular report on
each candidate country reviewing progress in the light of the Copenhagen criteria, including human rights.
In the case of Cyprus there is a special section dealing with the situation in the northern part of the
island (1). It is likely that the cases mentioned by the Honourable Member will be dealt with in this year(cid:146)s
report due to be published in autumn 2000.

(1) COM(1999) 502 final, 13.10.99, page 11.

(2001/C 72 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1803/00

by Neil MacCormick (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Ferry services in remote areas

I am grateful to the Commission for its helpful and courteous answer to my Written Question E-0999/00
about island ferry services. Further to that, I now pose the following questions:

1.

Is the Commission aware of the geographical configuration of the west coast of Scotland, where long
sea lochs ((cid:145)fjords(cid:146)) create isolated peninsulas to which vehicular access is only possible over long and
twisting roads and mountain passes?