WRITTEN QUESTION E-1807/01 by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Council. Turkey's destruction of Assyrian and Syrian cultural heritage and ban on entering Assyrian and Syrian villages.
Date: 2001-06-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Syria, Türkiye, accession criteria, accession to the European Union, cultural heritage, freedom of religious beliefs, human rights

C 81 E/64

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Reply

(26 November 2001)

As regards the language arrangements applicable to the submission of applications for European patents to
the European Patent Office, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply given to
Question E-0534/01, which he put to the Council on the same subject.

As regards the future language arrangements to apply to the submission of applications for Community
patents, the Council would refer the Honourable Member to the reply given to Question P-0762/01.

As regards the intervention of the Greek Government in case T-120/99, the Council notes the ruling
delivered by the Court of First Instance in this case, in which the Court rejects the action and the pleas
brought forward by the applicant against the language arrangements of the Office.

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the Council is not bound by the time limits laid
down in the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament.

(2002/C 81 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1807/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Council

(21 June 2001)

Subject: Turkey(cid:146)s destruction of Assyrian and Syrian cultural heritage and ban on entering Assyrian and

Syrian villages

Under legislation proposed by the Turkish Interior Ministry, Turkey intends to prohibit Europeans of
Assyrian and Syrian origin from visiting their places of origin and their families in southern Turkey, in
defiance of fundamental human rights. At the same time, Turkey continues systematically to destroy the
Assyrian and Syrian cultural heritage by wrecking monasteries and churches and converting them into
mosques and stables.

This is yet another example of Turkey(cid:146)s flouting of its international commitments, following similar
measures against the Kurds, the Greek Cypriots and others, a stance which has provoked international
reaction, from the Swedish Parliament among others. Will the Council therefore say:

1. What measures it will take to safeguard the inalienable right of European Assyrians and Syrians to

visit their place of birth and their families, and

2. What, in its view, the implications of this further violation of human rights by Turkey are in relation

to that country(cid:146)s progress towards membership of the European Union?

Reply

(27 November 2001)

In the Accession Partnership for Turkey, the Council has identified priorities relating in particular to
religious freedom and cultural diversity as follows:

individuals without any discrimination and irrespective of their
Guarantee full enjoyment by all
language, race, colour, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief or religion of all human rights and
fundamental
thought,
conscience and religion.

freedoms. Further develop conditions for the enjoyment of

freedom of

Ensure cultural diversity and guarantee cultural rights for all citizens irrespective of their origin. Any
legal provisions preventing the enjoyment of these rights should be abolished, including in the field of
education.

The Council notes that several EU Member States have raised with the Turkish authorities the difficulties
for people living in Europe of Assyrian and Syrian origin with visiting their birthplace and families in
Turkey. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has said that the competent local authorities in Turkey have been
instructed to lift the restrictions on such visits. The Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Ecevit, has made a press
statement to the same effect. The Council looks forward to the early implementation of the measures
announced above and will continue to monitor the situation closely.