WRITTEN QUESTION E-2038/03 by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Turkey and the denial of the Armenian genocide.
Date: 2003-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Armenia, Armenian question, Türkiye, accession negotiations, accession to the European Union, cooperation agreement, crime against humanity, political ideology

C 51 E/184

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

(2004/C 51 E/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2038/03

by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Turkey and the denial of the Armenian genocide

(19 June 2003)

In recent months the Turkish authorities’ policy of denying the Armenian genocide has become ever more
the Turkish
aggressive. The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy reports that
government, through its education ministry, has launched a counter-information campaign to refute the
accusations of genocide against the Armenian people. The ministry is now running indoctrination sessions
for teachers and officials, with the aim of imposing an official classroom line, contrary to the right of free
expression, claiming that the Armenian genocide never happened. In a decree of 14 April 2003, the
Ministry called on primary and secondary schools to hold lectures affirming that the Armenian people and
other peoples who have been victims of genocide have never been persecuted in Turkey, and to encourage
pupils to write essays on ‘how to fight genocide claims’.

This manipulation of history in the classroom is a practice that runs counter to European education
standards. The policy of denying the genocide is, furthermore, incompatible with the European values of
protection of human rights and minority rights, and is therefore in breach of the Copenhagen criteria.

Does the Commission believe that
principles of the Copenhagen agreement and with the acceptance of Turkey as a candidate country?

the Turkish authorities’ policy of denial

is compatible with the

Does the Commission consider that one of the indispensable requirements for the launching of accession
negotiations with Turkey in the near future must be the public admission by the present Turkish
authorities of the facts of the Armenian genocide, as recognised by the European Parliament in June 1987
(A2-0033/87) (1)?

(1) OJ C 190, 20.7.1987, p. 119.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2003)

In response to the points raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission recalls its reply to Written
Question P-3186/00 of Ms Carlotti (1),
indicating that this issue does not fall under the scope of the
Copenhagen political criteria.

(1) OJ C 151 E, 22.5.2001.

(2004/C 51 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2039/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Council

(19 June 2003)

Subject: Aid regime for nuts

Several districts in Catalonia are currently faced with a difficult situation regarding the production of nuts,
especially hazelnuts.

its legislative resolution (P5_TA-PROV(2003)0256) on the proposal

for a Council
On the basis of
regulation establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy
and support schemes for producers of certain crops, adopted in Strasbourg on 5 June 2003, the EP
adopted Amendment 133 to the report by Mr Arlindo Cunha (A5-0197/2003) calling for an increase in
the aid payable for nuts from EUR 100 to EUR 241,50 per hectare per year. Will the Council’s adoption of
the CAP reform plan take account of Parliament’s vote of 5 June 2003?