WRITTEN QUESTION E-3310/03 by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline; violations of the acquis communautaire by Turkey.
Date: 2003-11-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, environmental impact, environmental law, oil pipeline, suspension of aid

C 88 E/642

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

In addition, the Commission is setting up co-operation programmes funded by MEDA in support of the
Tunisian Media (training of journalists) and modernisation of the judiciary. Non-governmental organi-
sations working to advance human rights in Tunisia have access to funding under the European Initiative
for Democracy and Human Rights 2002-2004, which has Tunisia as one of its ‘focus countries’ for this
period.

(1) COM(2003) 294 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0658)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3310/03

by Philip Claeys (NI) to the Commission

(10 November 2003)

Subject: Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline; violations of the ‘acquis communautaire’ by Turkey

In connection with the construction of an oil pipeline between Baku (Azerbaijan) via Tbilisi (Georgia) to
Ceyhan (Turkey), Turkey has allegedly violated a number of provisions concerning the environment and
human rights which it would have had to comply with if European law applied to Turkey. There have not
been any serious environmental
impact assessments, property has been expropriated unlawfully, etc.
Various NGOs have already protested about this.

The State of Turkey is one of the main partners in the consortium which intends to construct the pipeline.
However, as it is also an applicant country, it may reasonably be expected to abide by the Copenhagen
criteria, including therefore the ‘acquis communautaire’. The above-mentioned project makes it clear that it
is no means doing so.

To what extent is the Commission monitoring developments with regard to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline? Has it contacted the Turkish authorities on the subject? If so, what was the outcome of the
discussions?

Turkey receives pre-accession aid from the European Union. Will the Commission consider freezing this
aid (or perhaps only part of it) if Turkey continues to disregard the Copenhagen criteria? Is there a specific
timetable for this?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2003)

In its regular report on Turkey’s progress towards accession published on 5 November 2003,
the
Commission sets out its assessment of developments over the last year and the overall situation with
regard to human rights and the protection of minorities.

As regards the specific questions raised by the Honourable Member concerning the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline project, any potential violations as regards human rights arising from the implementation of the
pipeline project would have to be considered in the context of the Copenhagen political criteria.

Turkey is at this stage not bound by the environmental
environmental
conditions of international lending organisations.

impact assessments have been carried out for this project,

‘acquis’, but the Commission is aware that
for example, to meet the

The Commission continues to observe the developments with regard to this project.

(2004/C 88 E/0659)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3331/03

by Anne Van Lancker (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: Defunding HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for refugees

On 27 August 2003, the US State Department announced that it would withhold funding for an HIV/
AIDS prevention programme for refugees run by the RHR Consortium. (The members of the Consortium
are the following: American Refugee Committee (ARC), CARE, Columbia University Heilbrunn Center for