WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/03 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Violations of Greek air space by Turkish aircraft and security of the inhabitants of the Aegean.
Date: 2003-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Greece, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, air law, air safety, air space, air traffic, fighter aircraft

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/55

(2004/C 88 E/0059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/03

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Violations of Greek air space by Turkish aircraft and security of the inhabitants of the Aegean

During a recent visit to the border islands of Samos and Ikaria I experienced the deep anxiety felt by the
inhabitants at the constant, provocative violations of Aegean air space by Turkish warplanes and the
impact which they have on the lives and security of the local people as well as their livelihood in the
tourist industry.

The alarm was compounded, in particular, following the recent incident in which two Turkish F16 fighters
harassed an Olympic Airways flight bound for Istanbul from Athens.

What view does the Commission take of Turkey’s conduct in this respect and what measures will it take
forthwith to put an end to such violations by Turkey?

What measures will
through the Aegean and to restore normality and peace to the wider region?

it take to address the insecurity felt by European citizens living in or travelling

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1984/03, E-2050/03 and E-2083/03
given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(7 August 2003)

As an EU Candidate Country, Turkey has undertaken to comply with the criteria for accession.

In terms of the specific issue raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission recalls the principle of
peaceful settlement of border disputes and other related issues as established under paragraph 4 of the
Helsinki European Council Conclusions in December 1999.

Under the revised Accession Partnership with Turkey, adopted on 19 May 2003 (1), there is a specific
priority relating to this principle.

The Commission is monitoring closely the progress achieved by Turkey in this and other areas and will
make a detailed assessment in its Regular Report to be published on 5 November 2003.

(1) OJ L 145, 12.6.2003.

(2004/C 88 E/0060)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1985/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Scandal involving illegal sterilisations in Slovakia

(16 June 2003)

Two non-governmental organisations have alleged that over the last 14 years at least 110 women from the
Roma community in eastern Slovakia have been forcibly sterilised. Furthermore,
the women were
misinformed about reproductive health issues and suffered discrimination regarding access to the
competent healthcare centres and their personal medical records.

Does the Commission intend to exert pressure on the Slovakian government to thoroughly investigate the
above accusations and punish those responsible for this inhuman crime, so as to protect the health and
reproductive rights of women in this country and the human rights of its minorities, thereby honouring its
commitments as a new Member State of the European Union?