WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/03 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council. 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, oceanography, political cooperation, settlement of disputes, territorial waters

C 70 E/90

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

programme for migration management in Morocco further builds on these first projects. The Commission
intends to step up its efforts to elaborate similar migration management projects in other Northern
Mediterranean countries in full partnership with the countries concerned.

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 92.
(2) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 46.
(3) See page 77.
(4) COM(2003) 323 final.
(5) COM(2002) 703 final.
(6) COM(2003) 355 final.

(2004/C 70 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Council

(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 five
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 Council 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 Council take forthwith to prevail upon Turkey
not to go ahead with research in the territorial waters of an EU Member State?

Reply

(8 December 2003)

1.
The Council has been informed that a Turkish marine research vessel had been conducting activities
in the Aegean, but has no particular information about the specific scope of these activities or on the
Turkish authorities’ intentions. The Council is not aware of the existence of Community funding for the
body owning the vessel.

As a candidate State, Turkey is required (cid:1) under the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in
2.
accordance with the UN Charter (cid:1) to make every effort to resolve any outstanding border disputes and
other related issues, as set out
the European Council conclusions in Helsinki on
10/11 December 1999. This is, moreover, a specific priority in the revised Partnership Agreement for
Turkey’s accession.

in point 4 of

3.
Since March 2002, exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey have been taking place at the level
of senior officials of their respective Foreign Ministries. Greece and Turkey have also put in place various
sets of confidence-building measures in this area. The Council is closely monitoring progress achieved in
this connection. In line with the Helsinki conclusions, the European Council will have to review the
situation (cid:1) including its repercussions on the accession process (cid:1) before the end of 2004.

In the framework of political dialogue, the Council regularly encourages Turkey to continue making

4.
efforts to defuse and prevent tensions and to work together with Greece to that end.