WRITTEN QUESTION E-1669/03 by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Baku-Ceyhun oil pipeline.
Date: 2003-05-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Türkiye, accession criteria, consortium, environmental protection, human rights, oil pipeline, project management

C 78 E/382

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Respect for human rights is a fundamental concern of the Union in its relations with all third countries.
Article 2 of the association agreements provides the Union with the basis for developing productive
dialogue and co-operation with the Mediterranean partners in the areas of human rights and fundamental
freedoms and the rule of law.

In order to structure this dialogue, on 22 May 2003 the Commission issued a Communication aimed at
reinvigorating Union actions on human rights and democratisation with the Mediterranean partners (1), on
the basis, among others, of the existing Euro-Med Association Agreements.

This Communication outlines guidelines for the best use of the instruments that are at the disposal of the
Union and its Mediterranean partners to effectively implement their common goal of the promotion of
democratisation and the promotion and protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.
It proposes 10 concrete recommendations to improve the dialogue between the Union and its
Its
Mediterranean partners, as well as Community’s financial co-operation on human rights issues.
implementation will be enhanced by three levels of complementarity: between the political dialogue and
financial assistance, between the MEDA programme and assistance under the European Initiative for
Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), and finally between the national and regional dimensions.

The Communication should provide a concrete platform to engage the Mediterranean partners, such as
Morocco, on a continuous and substantial dialogue on all
the questions of human rights and
democratisation including, if appropriate, those dealing with specific cases.

In this respect the Commission would like to reassure the Honourable Member that it is following the
specific cases mentioned in his written question. The humanitarian and human rights aspects of the
Western Sahara conflict are a continuous and long-standing concern of the Commission and contacts have
been established with all parties in the region on this issue.

Clearly the unresolved conflict of Western Sahara places considerable demands on Morocco’s human and
financial resources that could otherwise be used for different purposes. In addition, it effects the Moroccan
political position (whose main objective is the safeguard of what they claim to be their territorial integrity)
as well as on the economic policies (the process of regional integration is the major victim).

Finally, the Commission fully supports the efforts deployed by the Secretary General of the United Nations
in order to find a mutually acceptable solution for the parties involved in the conflict of Western Sahara.

(1) COM(2003) 294 final.

(2004/C 78 E/0404)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1669/03

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 May 2003)

Subject: Baku-Ceyhun oil pipeline

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline is a proposed pipeline that would span 1 760 kilometres from
the Azerbaijan capital of Baku to the Mediterranean city of Ceyhan, Turkey. A gas pipeline also is planned
to follow the same route. British Petroleum (BP) is the lead sponsor; there are nine other participants in the
consortium. The BTC consortium is seeking the political and financial support of their countries’ export
credit agencies, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance
Corporation of the World Bank Group.

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/383

A HGA Agreement has been signed by the consortium with the Turkish government which is extremely
far-reaching, effectively prohibiting the Turkish government from introducing any laws which might
undermine the economic success of the project (e.g. laws to protect the environment or for social goals).

The Agreement also paves the way for the consortium building the pipeline to demand unlimited
protection from Turkish security forces, without safeguards against human rights abuses. Under the vague
wording of the agreement, paramilitary units could be placed along the pipeline route to pre-empt ‘civil
disturbance’ or ‘terrorist’ activities. The record of the Turkish military on human rights (cid:1) particularly in
the Kurdish areas (cid:1) gives serious cause for concern.

How does the Commission view these security commitments being demanded from the Turkish
government, especially given this is an area of Turkey where human rights abuses on the part of the
Turkish authorities have been common?

Does the Commission believe that this agreement is likely to call into question the accession conditions
laid down in the Copenhagen criteria for democracy, human rights and respect for and protection of
minorities?

Does the Commission believe, furthermore, that this excessive interference by corporate bodies in the
freedom of action of a sovereign state may result in actions contrary to EU standards on protection of the
environment?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(23 June 2003)

The Commission is aware of the proposed construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and
of the related Host Government Agreement, signed by the consortium with the Turkish Government. The
Commission has received various reports about potentially far reaching effects, and its implications for the
environment and for the public.

Any negative development arising from the implementation agreement referred to by the Honourable
Member will have to be seen in the light of the Copenhagen criteria for accession, including the political
criteria concerning human rights and the protection of minorities.

The Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of this project in respect of accession
conditions laid down in the Copenhagen criteria.

(2004/C 78 E/0405)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1689/03

by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2003)

Subject: Bushmeat

The Commission is currently developing a Strategy for Forest Development Co-operation. The Strategy
could become a model of best practice for the conservation of the world’s forests.

However, the draft strategy does not deal specifically with the very serious issue of the (illegal) use of
bushmeat, which is one of the main threats to the survival of many species and which is often directly
connected to the development of forest resources.

Is the Commission willing to address the bushmeat issue in the final draft of its Strategy for Forest
Development Cooperation and, if not, is the Commission willing to develop a special strategy to help solve
the bushmeat problem?