WRITTEN QUESTION P-1125/04 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission. EU programmes with Turkey — potential consequences of full membership.
Date: 2004-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Türkiye, accession to the European Union, action programme

C 88 E/724

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0744)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1125/04

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(6 April 2004)

Subject: EU programmes with Turkey (cid:1) potential consequences of full membership

Before the European Council takes a decision in December 2004 on the opening of accession negotiations
with Turkey, the following questions need to be answered:

(cid:1) Under what programmes have EU funds already been made available to Turkey?

(cid:1) What level of funding has been made available?

(cid:1) What financial consequences and/or obligations would the EU face in the event of Turkey becoming a

full EU Member State?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2004)

Until 2002, Turkey had received support under the MEDA programme and through two regulations to
the customs union (1) and economic and social development (2). The Council adopted on
support
17 December 2001 a regulation concerning pre-accession financial assistance for Turkey. This came into
effect in January 2002 and continues to provide the legal base for our financial cooperation with Turkey.

Over the period 2000-2003 annual financial assistance to Turkey averaged EUR 177 million. In April
2003 agreement was reached between the Parliament, Council and Commission to include Turkey in the
pre-accession heading of
the financial perspectives and to provide substantially increased financial
assistance for the period 2004-2006, amounting to EUR 1050 million over the three years (EUR 250 million
in 2004, EUR 300 million in 2005 and EUR 500 million in 2006).

It should be recalled that the decision to be taken by the European Council in December 2004 will be
based on an assessment of whether Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria. It is clear that the
accession of a country with the size and population of Turkey would have a major impact on the EU, its
policies and institutions. The concrete financial consequences and/or obligations for the EU would depend
on the outcome of the negotiations.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 764/2000 of 10 April 2000 regarding the implementation of measures to intensify the

EC-Turkey customs union, OJ L 94, 14.4.2000.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 257/2001 of

the Parliament and of

the Council of 22 January 2001 regarding the

implementation of measures to promote economic and social development in Turkey, OJ L 39, 9.2.2001.

(2004/C 88 E/0745)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1190/04

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 April 2004)

Subject: Forum of Cultures 2004

In its answer of 21 October 2003 to my question on the Forum of Cultures (H-0539/03 (1)), which will
formally open in Barcelona on 9 May 2004, the Commission stated that it was keeping track of the
preparations for the Forum and implementing a series of initiatives aimed at fostering intercultural
dialogue.

Since the opening of the Forum is approaching, I would like to know what initiatives the Commission
intends to implement. I should also like to know whether the intercultural dialogue referred to will take
into account the specific cultural characteristics of Catalonia, and more particularly the Catalan language,
which is an official Forum language.

(1) Written answer of 21.10.2003.