WRITTEN QUESTION E-2856/03 by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission. Status of the Turkish language.
Date: 2003-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cyprus, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, international issue, official language

C 88 E/440

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

In the context of children’s rights, Latvia has ratified several Conventions such as the European Convention
on the Exercise of Children’s Rights (May 2001) and also the European Convention on the Recognition and
Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children
(April 2002). Within the obvious budgetary constraints of a country in transition, Latvia continues to
invest in upgrading social institutions, including children’s homes.

Latvia is primarily responsible for its children’s policy. However, the Commission has provided assistance
for projects via non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in this field, under the horizontal Access
programme in order to support the situation of children and children’s homes in Latvia. This support has
been directed at child care institutions such as orphanages, schools with ‘risk’ children, day support centres
for children suffering from unfavourable conditions and families with socio-psychological and rehabili-
tation reintegration as well as socially and health wise endangered children, including street and abused
children.

The Commission will continue to monitor the situation in Latvia until accession. The ongoing encouraging
developments regarding economic and social cohesion as well as availability of future Structural Funds will
certainly also contribute to further improvements and upgrading of social institutions, including children’s
homes in Latvia.

(2004/C 88 E/0446)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2856/03

by Jens-Peter Bonde (EDD) to the Commission

(26 September 2003)

Subject: Status of the Turkish language

What will be the status of the Turkish language following the accession of Cyprus on 1 May 2004? Will
the Commission make a comparison with the status of Gaelic and Luxembourgish?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

In the absence of a settlement before 1 May 2004, the Turkish language will not have the status of an
official or working language of the Institutions of the Union, as no such provision has been included in the
Accession Treaty. Instead, Protocol No 10 annexed to the Accession Treaty, foresees in this case that the
‘acquis’
is suspended in those areas of Cyprus in which the Government of Cyprus does not exercise
effective control.

The Commission continues to encourage all parties to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem before
1 May 2004. The mentioned Protocol No 10 therefore contains an enabling clause allowing for
adaptations to the terms concerning the accession of Cyprus to the Union with regard to the Turkish
Cypriot Community. Such adaptations can also relate to the status of the Turkish language.

The Commission has decided to dedicate EUR 3 million for the translation of relevant pieces of the ‘acquis’
into the Turkish language to prepare and facilitate the process bringing the northern part of Cyprus closer
to the Union. This project is currently implemented.