WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/01 by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission. Economic crisis in Turkey.
Date: 2001-03-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Türkiye, accession negotiations, association agreement (EU), economic reform, economic situation, monetary crisis

21.8.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/247

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2001)

First of all the Commission would like to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the fact that
this issue is currently subject to an exchange of views with the Parliament. The Commission would also
like to inform the Honourable Member that the Commission decided on 24 May 2000 (1), that it should
not, at least for the time being, propose a change in the exhaustion regime. The Commission considered in
particular that the current Community exhaustion regime strikes a proper balance between the interests of
consumers and trade mark holders. Moreover, it was considered unlikely that prices for consumers would
significantly decrease with the introduction of international exhaustion of trade mark rights.

Before reaching this conclusion the Commission commissioned a study of the economic effects of
a possible change of exhaustion regime by the National Economic Research Associates (NERA) institute
in London. According to this study prices under international exhaustion would probably not be very
different from those that currently apply.

The Commission approach was supported by the Economic and Social Committee which, on 24 January
2001, adopted unanimously an opinion in favour of the Commission(cid:146)s decision.

(1) PR BIO/00/110.

(2001/C 235 E/291)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/01

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(19 March 2001)

Subject: Economic crisis in Turkey

Despite the recent attempt by the IMF to save the Turkish economy by lending USD 11,4 billion, the
Turkish lira has collapsed, making severe inroads into Turkey(cid:146)s foreign currency reserves, the stock market
has plummeted and inflation and interest rates have risen sharply. This has revealed the underlying causes
of the crisis facing Turkey with which the European Parliament is familiar: excessive state interventionism,
the over-indebtedness of banks, money laundering, interventions by the political and military circles in the
Turkish economy, the absence of democratic institutions, etc.

Will the Commission accept further delays in the modernisation of Turkey on the grounds of the currency
crisis?

Will it restrict itself to the solutions imposed by the IMF or will it intervene, following moves in the USA?

How will it react if Turkey turns into a (cid:145)a new bankrupt Russia(cid:146) which imposed severe strains on the
economy of the EU in 1998?

What proposals does the Commission have for addressing the crisis, given that the recent partnership
agreement between the EU and Turkey makes no provision for specific policies in this area?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2001)

Although Turkey is in the throes of economic and financial crisis, the modernisation programme under
way should not be adversely affected. On the contrary, it should be an incentive for speeding up economic
reform, as set out in the framework agreement between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

C 235 E/248

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

At the Stockholm Council on 23 March 2001 the Community expressed support for this programme,
which was drawn up in consultation with the IMF

As far as the Commission is aware, the United States does not provide bilateral aid, only multilateral aid
through the IMF.

The Commission believes that actively pursuing the pre-accession strategy for Turkey can only underpin
the country(cid:146)s efforts to overcome the current crisis.

(2001/C 235 E/292)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0857/01

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 March 2001)

Subject: Exports to the USA

Will the Commission indicate the value of exports of goods and services (specifying each separately, but
not including income) from each EU member state to the United States of America and to NAFTA as
a whole for the latest five years for which figures are available and express this also as a percentage of each
country(cid:146)s GDP?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2001)

In view of the length of its answer, the Commission is sending it direct to the Honourable Member and to
Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(2001/C 235 E/293)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0921/01

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Tourism-oriented property development in Bosa and Villanova Monteleone, Teulada, Monte Russu

and Cala Giunco-Stagno Notteri, and a fish-farming plant in Bosa

In reply to my Questions Nos E-3009/00 (1), E-3339/00 (2), E-3340/00 (3) and P-3314/00 (4) concerning
tourism-oriented property development along the coast in Bosa and Villanova Monteleone, Teulada, Monte
Russu (Aglientu) and Cala Giunco-Stagno Notteri (Villasimius) and an intensive fish-farming plant in Bosa,
the Commission said that it would take the necessary steps to gather detailed information and ensure that
Community law is complied with.

Could the Commission clarify what steps it has taken to date with regard to the above-mentioned cases?

In particular, could it confirm:

(cid:129) with regard to the planned development in Monte Russu, that an assessment of implications has been
begun, in accordance with the provisions of Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC (5), and could it say
whether the findings of this assessment are already available?

(cid:129) with regard to the LIFE legislation, that the development has not yet received final construction
authorisation, and could it say whether this means that, once authorisation has been obtained, it will
be subject to an environmental impact assessment? Is any Community funding earmarked for the
development?