WRITTEN QUESTION E-3530/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council. Contestation of Greek sovereign rights by Turkey.
Date: 2000-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, Türkiye, accession negotiations, international dispute

C 174 E/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

(2001/C 174 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3530/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

Subject: Contestation of Greek sovereign rights by Turkey

(13 November 2000)

During the NATO exercise (cid:145)Destined Glory(cid:146), Turkey (cid:145)closed(cid:146) its airspace to all NATO aircraft originating
from the Athens FIR (flight information region). This unprecedented action caused Greece to withdraw
from the exercise, since it represented an escalation in Turkey(cid:146)s attempts to contest Greek sovereign rights.
During the conclusion of the European Union-Turkey (cid:145)partnership(cid:146), does the Council intend to set out clear
and explicit preconditions to Turkey regarding respect for EU borders and the implementation of the
provisions of the Helsinki European Council(cid:146)s decision making provision for a peaceful process for settling
the differences between Greece and Turkey?

Reply

(8 March 2001)

On 4 December 2000, the Council reached a political agreement on the partnership for the accession of
Turkey. The question of the peaceful settlement of disputes is included, in accordance with the Helsinki
conclusions and in the context of the political dialogue, amongst the priorities and intermediate objectives,
under the heading of enhanced political dialogue and political criteria.

(2001/C 174 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3532/00

by Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 November 2000)

Subject: Peace process in the Middle East

On 5 September 2000 the Speaker of the Knesset, Mr Avram Burg, and Mr Ahmed Qurie, his counterpart
in the Palestinian Legislative Council, spoke at Parliament(cid:146)s plenary session in Strasbourg on the situation
in the Middle East, the future status of Jerusalem and the hopes for definitive peace in this troubled region
of the planet. The speeches by the two Speakers were models of constructive attitudes, they were full of
suggestions and ideas and revealed that at any rate majorities in the legislative bodies of both Israel and the
Palestinian administration wished to advance along the road to reconciliation. A highly significant element
in these speeches was the suggestion that
Jerusalem should become a global capital, a centre for
monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), so that instead of being a city of hatred it would
become known as a city of love. Paradoxically, the suggestion by the Speakers of the two legislative bodies
of Israel and Palestine did not appear to attract the interest of the Council or the Commission, who could
adopt and promote it in order to eliminate the stalemate on the status of Jerusalem, thus increasing the
European Union(cid:146)s prestige in the area and making a real contribution to consolidating peace.

Since the future of Jerusalem is at the heart of the Palestine issue and is a question that prompts fanatical
acts, and even death, on both sides, is the Commission looking at the possibility of the European Union
promoting the suggestion that Jerusalem should be made into an international city and turned into a
global capital for the three monotheistic religions, along the lines of a suggestion made by the parties
involved in the region which could put a stop to the constant bloodshed which we are unfortunately
witnessing once again in this region? If so, does the EU intend to use a military presence to guarantee
smooth implementation of the proposal?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 December 2000)

The constructive interventions of Mr Burg and Mr Qurie at the Parliament on 5 September were a positive
contribution to the process of reconciliation among their peoples, thereby fostering the hope for a swift