WRITTEN QUESTION E-1272/03 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Discrimination in the treatment of citizens of EU Member States by the Turkish government.
Date: 2003-04-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU national, Türkiye, discrimination on the basis of nationality, quasi-fiscal charge, residence permit

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/363

The 2000 Union Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters will certainly contribute to the
improvement of the transmission and execution of letters rogatory. It has, however, so far only been
ratified by two Member States. It will enter into force after eight ratifications.

In particular measures 9 and 10, OJ C 12, 15.1.2001.

(1)
(2) COM(2003) 75 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0382)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1232/03

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: Member States’ policies on airport expansion

Could the Commission provide a summary of the principal airport expansion plans in Member States of
which it is aware, and give its opinion on whether it considers that the plans are:

1.

2.

sufficiently co-ordinated across the EU;

adequate to deal with the projected increase in air passenger demand over the next 40 years?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The Commission does not systematically compile or administer information on expansion of Union
airports and, as a result, does not have a comprehensive overview of such current or planned expansion as
the subject of airport management and planning falls under the responsibility of Member States.

The Commission recognises that the long term growth of air transport has important implications for the
provision of air transport infrastructure. The Commission White Paper of September 2001 (1) identified
capacity constraints in the air and on the ground as key obstacles to economic growth. In its work
programme for 2003, the Commission has included the publication of a Communication on airport
capacity. In this context, preparations for the definition of a Community policy on airport capacity and
airport efficiency are in progress. As indicated in the White Paper, and in the light of reactions to it, the
Commission examines whether the revision of the existing guidelines on the Trans-European Network for
Transport aiming at concentrating on the most important infrastructure for international traffic and
cohesion on the European continent, may be part of this policy.

(1)

‘White Paper (cid:1) European transport policy for 2010: Time to decide’, European Communities September 2001.

(2004/C 78 E/0383)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1272/03

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: Discrimination in the treatment of citizens of EU Member States by the Turkish government

Is the Commission aware that there is discrimination between Netherlands and German citizens with
regard to the fee charged for a residence permit in Turkey, i.e. EUR 277 for by Netherlands citizens and
EUR 60 for Germans for the same permit?

C 78 E/364

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Does the Commission know how much the Turkish government charges citizens of other EU Member
States for a residence permit?

If the Commission prepared to bring pressure to bear on the Turkish authorities with a view to ending this
discrimination against Netherlands citizens, and possibly citizens of other EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2003)

The Commission is aware that different fees are charged for residence permits according to the nationality
of Union citizens and intends to take this issue up in the context of its regular contacts with the Turkish
authorities.

A new law on ‘Work Permit for Foreigners’ was adopted by the Turkish Parliament on 27 February 2003.
The law states that Union citizens will be granted a work permit without any time limitation in Turkey.
Union citizens with a work permit will automatically be granted a residence permit covering the same
period. The law also sets fixed fee rates for work permits to be issued to all foreigners (regardless of their
nationality). The provisions in the recently adopted law may have implications on fee rates applied for
residence permits.

(2004/C 78 E/0384)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1278/03

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 April 2003)

Subject: Uniates in Romania

On 7 February 2002, after having gained legal title in the courts, the Greek Catholic minority (also called
Eastern Rite Catholic, or Uniates) Church of Ocna Mures, Transylvania, Romania, could recover their
church. A few weeks later, on 16 March 2002, they were driven out of their church by a mob led by three
orthodox priests, aided and abetted by the local police.

Another case happened a few years ago: in the town of Ardud, the police warned the Greek Catholic priest
that he would be arrested then called the members of the congregation one by one and told them the
same.

In 1995, in the city of Craiova, the orthodox bishop had the Greek Catholic church demolished, with the
help of the army and the police.

Is the Commission aware of any discrimination against the Uniate minority in Romania?

Could you please tell me what action the Commission has taken or is aiming to take in order to avoid
religious persecution within applicant countries? In this case, in what way? Could the Commission detail
the action taken or to be taken?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(16 May 2003)

The Commission is aware of the allegations of discrimination against the Greek Catholic Romanian Church
United with Rome raised by the Honourable Member.