WRITTEN QUESTION P-0591/02 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission. Interception of e-mails in Ankara.
Date: 2002-02-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, Türkiye, dissemination of information, electronic mail, espionage, judicial inquiry, protection of communications

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/13

Introducing a system for comparing postal tariffs across the Member States similar to the one that the
Commission currently maintains for car prices, does not seem to be warranted at present.

Since postal tariffs are regulated by the Member States themselves, price comparisons would reflect the
different regulatory approaches taken in the various Member States to a large extent. Price differences
the
resulting from administrative pricing decisions would neither provide any information about
competitive situation in various markets, nor disclose suspected breaches of the Community competition
rules. Considering the fact that, in most Member States the incumbent postal operators benefit from wide-
ranging postal monopolies, there is not yet a functioning internal market for postal services. A system of
price comparisons would therefore not make it any easier for the Commission to ‘tackle internal market
distorsions.’

In conclusion, the Commission considers that its current price monitoring system, and its action on
individual cases, are sufficient
the consumer is not
overcharged.

to ensure that prices are affordable and that

Finally, the Commission expects that the proposed legislative measures to increase competition in the
postal markets will gradually provide a downward pressure on postal tariffs and work towards a reduction
in price differences.

(1) Directive 97/67/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the
development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service,
OJ L 15, 21.1.1998.

(2003/C 52 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0591/02

by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission

(25 February 2002)

Subject: Interception of e-mails in Ankara

Can the Commission confirm that a series of e-mails from the EU delegation in Ankara has been
intercepted and published in a Turkish weekly magazine?

Has the Commission been able to establish how they were intercepted?

During the European Parliament’s inquiry into Echelon it was stated that the communications of the EU
delegations were to be made more secure. What progress has been made in carrying out this intention? Or
is this left to the Turkish authorities in the case in question?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(20 March 2002)

The Commission confirms that e-mails from its Representation in Ankara have been illegally obtained. The
stolen information was published in a weekly magazine, in other media and diffused through the Internet.
Following a court injunction, copies of the magazine in question were seized by the Turkish authorities.
Furthermore, legal proceedings by the Public Prosecutor continue under the Turkish penal code. It should
be noted that the intrusion concerns only the Representation’s e-mail system, whereas the traffic of
encrypted classified documents was never affected.

The Commission has asked to investigate and to find out who carried out these illegal activities and to
prosecute those who committed this crime.

the Parliament’s resolution on Echelon,

On the basis of
the Commission has adopted a Secure
Communications Action Plan with a view to establishing a modernised and extended Cypher network
between Commission Headquarters and Commission Delegations worldwide. Concrete measures are under
preparation. The Commission will gradually introduce from 2003 onwards the upgraded Cypher system
and the related necessary physical security measures if the budgetary authorities provide the necessary
funding and staff. Meanwhile, appropriate steps have been taken to reinforce the security of
the
communications systems of the Ankara Representation.