WRITTEN QUESTION E-2363/03 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Research by a Turkish vessel in Greek territorial waters in the Aegean.
Date: 2003-07-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Aegean Sea, Greece, Türkiye, field research, frontier region, oceanography, settlement of disputes, territorial waters

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/83

In accordance with the procedures applicable to the European Development Funds, the financing of
cooperation projects from the resources of the National or Regional Indicative Programmes is done only
on the basis of a request of the Regional or National Authorising Officer. In addition, the Head of
Delegation of the Commission in the ACP partner countries remains the principal
interlocutor in the
implementation of the partnership,
including for the promotion and the facilitation of the dialogue
between the various types of actors (in particular the local authorities), and in financial management. The
projects that
to decentralisation and to the local
authorities ensure that these communities benefit directly from the resources allocated to these projects by
setting up mechanisms allowing the strengthening of their institutional, technical and financial capacities.
Thus, the projects currently in hand to support decentralisation and the local authorities generally envisage
training and technical support for the local authorities and elected representatives, the setting up of
investment funds for communal infrastructures and utilities, or the provision of credit lines to improve the
communal services. Similar procedures are applied in the case of South Africa.

the Commission finances in the field of support

The Commission followed very closely the organisation and the setting up of the Platform of local
governments of the ACP countries and took part in the seminar organised by this Platform on 14 March
2002 in order to review together the possibilities of cooperation with the local authorities in the ACP
countries.

As to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) the services of the EuropeAid Cooperation
Office have twice met a representative of the CLGF. At these meetings, the Commission has informed the
representative of the CLGF of the efforts made by the Commission in the field of strengthening the
capacities of the local authorities in the ACP countries. In addition, the budgetary financing methods
applicable to the European Development Fund and to the ‘South Africa’ and ‘decentralised cooperation
budget lines’ were explained. It should be noted, in line with the above, that the Commission does not
regard the CLGF to be a necessary interlocutor in our efforts to support local governments in the ACP
countries.

(2004/C 88 E/0090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2363/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 July 2003)

Subject: Research by a Turkish vessel in Greek territorial waters in the Aegean

It is reported in today’s Greek press (8 July 2003) that from 4 to 19 July the Turkish oceanographic
research vessel, the Piri Reis, will conduct research in the Aegean, in particular in Greek territorial waters.
These reports state that the Greek navy has picked up an announcement broadcast by Izmir coastal radio
station concerning the ‘vessel’s oceanographic research’. According to its programme of ‘research’ the Piri
Reis (which,
incidentally, belongs to Izmir University) will carry out research at a distance of up to
5 nautical miles from the rocky islet ‘Kaloyeri’ in the Cyclades and at 25 other spots in Greek territorial
waters.

It should be pointed out that Turkey (an applicant country) has previously dispatched this vessel into the
Aegean with instructions to carry out research in Greek (and therefore Community) waters, thereby
causing tension in Greek-Turkish relations.

Is the Commission aware of the intention of the Turkish authorities? Has the University of Izmir, which
owns the vessel
in question, received funding through any Community initiative (either directly or
indirectly with loans or other Community funds)? What actions can the Commission take forthwith to
prevail upon Turkey not to go ahead with research in the territorial waters of an EU Member State?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2003)

As regards the activities of the Turkish oceanographic research vessel in question, the Commission is not
aware of the intention of the Turkish authorities. As to the University of Izmir, it has not benefited from
Union funding.

C 88 E/84

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

In relation to the Greek-Turkish relations in general, the Commission refers to the principle of peaceful
settlement of border disputes as set out in the Helsinki European Council Conclusions in December 1999.

Under the revised Accession Partnership with Turkey adopted on 19 May 2003, there is a priority for
Turkey ‘in the context of the political dialogue to make every effort to resolve any outstanding border
disputes and other related issues, as referred to in point 4 of the Helsinki conclusions’.

(2004/C 88 E/0091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2392/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(21 July 2003)

Subject: Stoning of Semsiye Allak in the village of Yalim, Turkey

According to numerous reports in the international press, 35-year old Semsiye Allak was stoned in the
Kurdish village of Yalim in Turkey by her family when she became pregnant after being raped by a
married man. The woman died seven months after the stoning, alone and abandoned in hospital, while the
man was killed on the spot by her relatives who took the law into their own hands.

This appalling deed is a further example of the tragic consequences of gender discrimination which derive
from religious fanaticism and intolerance. The systematic violation of women’s human rights through the
imposition of violent and degrading punishments which often result in death calls for an immediate
practical response. In present-day Turkey, which is on the way to negotiating its accession to the EU,
political measures should be taken to eliminate crimes of ‘honour’.

Will the Commission exert pressure on the Turkish Government to adopt stringent legislation against
crimes of honour and taking the law into one’s own hands, and to bring those responsible to justice? Will
the Commission also intervene to protect women’s human rights and bring an end to the degrading
treatment of women and the perpetuation of violence and discrimination against them?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2003)

The Commission is aware of
Honourable Member.

international press reports concerning the events mentioned by the

As a Candidate Country, Turkey has undertaken to comply with the Copenhagen political criteria. These
criteria include the principle of gender equality as well as economic, social and cultural rights. This has
been made further clear as a priority under the revised Accession Partnership for Turkey to guarantee ‘in
law and in practice the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all
individuals
without discrimination and irrespective of language, race, colour, sex, political opinion, religion or belief in
line with relevant international and European instruments’.

Already in its Regular Report published in 2002 (1), the Commission drew attention to the issue of honour
killings and mentioned explicitly that in Turkey ‘honour killings qualify for reduced sentences, which may
be further reduced if the accused is a minor’.