WRITTEN QUESTION P-1803/01 by Maj Theorin (PSE) to the Commission. Kurds in Turkey.
Date: 2001-06-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Türkiye, accession criteria, ethnic conflict, ethnic group, forced migration

C 350 E/228

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2001)

The concentration was notified to the Commission on 19 March 2001. It concerned the proposed creation
of a jointly-controlled online-travel agency by T-Online International AG (T-Online) and the German tour
operators TUI Group GmbH (TUI) and C & N Touristic AG (C & N).

The Commission opened a second phase investigation on 8 May 2001 primarily based on concerns that
the vertical combination of T-Online(cid:146)s high market shares in the internet services provider (ISP) and
internet portal markets with TUI/C & N(cid:146)s strong positions in the package holiday market would result in
Newco becoming dominant in the German online-travel agency market.

The notification was withdrawn on 5 June 2001. T-Online intends instead to create a sole-controlled
in which TUI and C & N will each acquire a 12,45 % non-controlling stake. This
online-travel agency,
operation will thus not constitute a concentration under the Merger Regulation (Council Regulation (EC)
No 1310/97 of 30 June 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 on the control of concentrations
between undertakings (1)). It will, however, be subject to scrutiny under Articles 81 and 82 (ex Articles 85
and 86) of the EC Treaty and the equivalent provisions under German competition law.

(1) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997.

(2001/C 350 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1803/01

by Maj Theorin (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2001)

Subject: Kurds in Turkey

Years of violent conflict between the Turkish military and the Kurdish PKK has driven more than 560 000
villagers of mainly Kurdish origin away from their homes in the impoverished South East region of
Turkey. The systematic destruction of over 3 500 villages in this region has rendered repatriation a very
difficult task, and a majority of the displaced families now live in squalid conditions and extreme poverty
in the outskirts of cities.

What is the Commission doing to improve the situation of the displaced Kurds in Turkey and to further
develop this particular region?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2001)

The Accession Partnership for Turkey was adopted by the Union on 8 March 2001 (1). This document sets
out the priorities for the progress Turkey needs to make on political and economic issues in advance of
accession to the Union. Reducing the disparities between different regions is specified as a priority that
should be addressed in the short-term. Lifting the state of emergency in the South East region of Turkey is
also specified, as a medium term priority.

As part of the Union(cid:146)s financial assistance to Turkey, the Commission is financing a regional development
programme in the South East of the country, in the (cid:145)GAP(cid:146) region. € 43,5 million has been made available
for this project. Overall objectives of the programme are to sustain economic growth, to alleviate regional
disparities, to increase productivity and employment capacity in the region. Specific actions will target
increasing employment opportunities through assistance to local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs), supporting income generating activities for the rural population, renovating and restoring
important cultural heritage sites, promoting their cultural and touristic potential, and improving the
environmental conditions in the region.

(1) OJ L 85, 24.3.2001.