WRITTEN QUESTION P-0045/01 by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Kidnapping of a Greek Cypriot by Turkish Cypriots.
Date: 2001-01-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, Greece, Türkiye, United Kingdom, arrest, human rights, illegal restraint, terrorism

C 187 E/168

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

(2001/C 187 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0045/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Kidnapping of a Greek Cypriot by Turkish Cypriots

(16 January 2001)

On 13 December the Greek Cypriot building contractor, Mr Panikos Tziakourmas, was kidnapped while
on the territory of the British bases on Cyprus. According to the report by the police of the British bases in
Cyprus, he was seized by a group of unknown Turkish Cypriot men and then taken by force to the
Turkish-occupied territory and abandoned, and one and a half kilos of cannabis was left next to him.
Immediately after he was abandoned, the so-called Turkish Cypriot police arrived on the scene and arrested
him for possession of drugs. Mr Tziakourmas has a spotless record and has employed Turkish Cypriot
workers over the last decade.

Given that the kidnapping and illegal detention of Mr P. Tziakourmas are acts of terrorism and hostage-
taking, and as such a violation of international law and of the European Convention on Human Rights,
and given also the recent commitments made by Turkey to the European Union regarding democratisation
and respect for human rights, the acquis communautaire and the principles of the rule of law, will the
Commission say;

1. What measures does it intend to take to exert pressure on Turkey to release Mr P. Tziakourmas

forthwith?

2. What effect will the this contentious action have on Turkey(cid:146)s bid to join the European Union and the

funding the EU is due to provide to facilitate Turkish accession?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2001)

The Commission is aware of the circumstances concerning the detention of the Greek Cypriot building
contractor Mr Panikos Tziakourmas on 13 December 2000. It appears that Mr Tziakourmas was abducted
from the territory of the Eastern British Sovereign Base Area. As a result, the British Government has
raised this incident with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community and with the authorities in Ankara.
The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The criteria for membership agreed by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 include the guarantee-
ing of the rule of law and of human rights. In this context Turkey(cid:146)s fulfilment of its obligations as
a member of the Council of Europe is an important factor. The Commission monitors respect of these
commitments by all candidate countries and regularly reports to the Parliament and to the Member States
on developments in these areas.

(2001/C 187 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0046/01

by Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 January 2001)

Subject: L-cysteine from human hair

The Commission(cid:146)s answer of 28 November 2000 to my Question P-3343/00 (1) states that it is currently
looking into whether a Commission Directive to amend No 416 of Annex II (a proposal for which is
given) by adapting Directive 76/768/EEC (2)
to the
Commission for the detailed answer. Unfortunately, no answer was given to my first question, which was
as follows:
in its
consideration of this derogation?(cid:146)

(cid:145)Did the Commission take ethical aspects as well as scientific ones into account

to technical progress is feasible.

I am grateful