Activities of Costas MAVRIDES related to 2022/2205(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2022 Report on Türkiye (debate)
Amendments (39)
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the Agreement between the European Union and Türkiye on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the restrictive measures framework established by the EU on 11 November 2019, as a response to Türkiye’s illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, as most recently renewed by Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2186 of 8 November 2022,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)
Citation 4 b (new)
– having regard to the declaration issued by the European Community and its Member States on 21 September 2005, including the provision that the recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the negotiations, and to the need for Türkiye to proceed to the normalization of its relations with all Member States and to fully implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement towards all Member States, by removing all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on means of transport, without prejudice and discrimination,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 c (new)
Citation 4 c (new)
– having regard to the Council Conclusions of 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 to the effect that the accession negotiations effectively have come to a standstill and no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing and no further work towards the modernisation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union is foreseen,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 d (new)
Citation 4 d (new)
– having regard to Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that the contracting parties undertake to abide by the final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in any case to which they are parties, and therefore to the obligation of Türkiye to implement all judgments of the European courts, including the ECtHR,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 e (new)
Citation 4 e (new)
– having regard to the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council on Cyprus, including resolution 550 (1984) of 11 May 1984 on secessionist actions in Cyprus and resolution 789 (1992) of 25 November 1992 which consider attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible, and call for the transfer of that area to the administration of the United Nations, urging all concerned in the Cyprus question to commit themselves to the confidence-building measures set out in the resolution,
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 15 April 2015 on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide,1a _________________ 1a OJ C 328, 6.9.2016, p. 2.
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 26 November 2020 on escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumptions of talks 2a, _________________ 2a OJ C 425, 20.10.2021, p. 143
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 b (new)
Citation 14 b (new)
– having regard to the relevant resolutions by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, including the interim resolution of 16 September 2021 on the execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Cyprus v. Turkey,
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 c (new)
Citation 14 c (new)
– having regard to the interim resolution of 2 December 2021 on the execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Selahattin Demirtaş v Turkey (No. 2),
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas Türkiye remains a candidate for EU accession, a NATO ally and a key trade and economic partner, as well as a key partneactor on migration;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Türkiye has been gradually moving further away from the EU’s values and normative framework, as exemplified by a number of measures curtailing fundamental freedoms and human rights as well as by its actions against international law and good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges theTakes note of partial measures taken in recent months by the Turkish authorities to prevent the re-exportation to Russia of goods covered by EU sanctions, but urges them to go further in order to ensure that Türkiye stops being a hub for entities and individuals that wish to; underlines the paramount importance of preventing the circumvention of EU sanctions and urges Türkiye to ensure the full respect of those sanctions, in particular taking into account the free circulation of products, including dual- use goods, within the EU-Turkey Customs Union; highlights, its expectation that Turkey will avoid becoming a safe haven for Russian capital and investments, thus clearly circumvent suching EU sanctions;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that, in terms of human rights and the rule of law, the desolate picture painted in its resolution of 7 June 2022 on the 2021 Commission Report on Turkey remains valid, and reiterates the content of that resolution; fully endorses the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of 12 October 2022, and the related report by its Monitoring Committee, on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Türkiye; calls on Türkiye to fully implement all judgements of the European Courts, including the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in line with Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as the payment of just satisfaction awarded by the ECtHR, an unconditional obligation deriving from Türkiye’s membership of the Council of Europe;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reiterates relevant ECtHR decisions and calls on the Turkish Government to immediately stop the violation of the human rights of the Cypriot citizens and stop depriving them of the enjoyment and exercise of their property, religious and other human rights stemming from the constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus and the acquis communautaire, as well as the fundamental principles and values of the EU;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on Türkiye to ensure the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement of 2016 and the EU - Türkiye Readmission Agreement vis-à-vis all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus; firmly objects to any instrumentalisation of migrants by the Turkish Government; Regrets, that as a result of it, a continuing high increase in asylum applications has been registered in Cyprus over the past years and recalls Türkiye’s obligation to take all the necessary measures to halt the existing illegal migration routes and prevent the creation of new sea or land routes for illegal migration from Türkiye to the EU; notes that pending the full and effective implementation of the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement, existing bilateral readmission agreements and provisions in similar agreements and arrangements with EU Member States, should be adequately implemented; underlines that cooperation in the area of justice and home affairs with all EU Member States remains essential;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Regrets that as a result of Türkiye’s instrumentalization of refugees a continuing increase in asylum applications was registered in Cyprus in 2022; notes that pending the full and effective implementation of the EU- Turkey Readmission Agreement vis-à-vis all Member States, existing bilateral readmission agreements and provisions in similar agreements and arrangements with EU Member States, should be adequately implemented; underlines that cooperation in the area of justice and home affairs with all EU Member States remains essential;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. WelcomesTakes note, after a confrontational period, Türkiye’s recent steps towards normalising relations with several countries, such as Armenia, Egypt, Israel and the Gulf states, but remains concerned by the fact that Türkiye’s foreign policy still clashes in many aspects with EU interests and, far from growing closer to the EU, it has further diverged in the last year, reaching a record low of alignment with just 7 % of common foreign and security policy decisions; deplores, in this respect, Türkiye’s overall destabilising role in many areas of concern for the EU and in its neighbourhoods (such as in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and South Caucasus and its role in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Libya), which threatens regional peace, security and stability; is extremely concerned by, and strongly condemns, Türkiye’s illegal activities and threats of military action against EU Member States, in particular Greece and Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. WelcomesTakes note, after a confrontational period, Türkiye’s recent steps towards normalising relations with several countries, such as Armenia, Egypt, Israel and the Gulf states, but remains concerned by the fact that Türkiye’s foreign policy still clashes in many aspects with EU interests and, far from growing closer to the EU, it has further diverged in the last year, reaching a record low of alignment with just 7 % of common foreign and security policy decisions;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Continues to urge Türkiye to unequivocally commit to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, having recourse, if necessary to the International Court of Justice and to refrain from any unilateral action or threats;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Reaffirms its call expressed in its resolution of 15 April 2015, and once again encourages Turkey to recognise the Armenian Genocide, thus paving the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples; calls on Türkiye, in this regard, to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech, and to fully respect its obligations to protect Armenian and other cultural heritage;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the overall de-escalation of tensions observed in the eastern Mediterranean in recent times, particularly in the wake of the February earthquakes, and expresses its hope that a possible new era in Türkiye’s foreign policy might yield positive results in the bilateral relations between Türkiye and all EU Member States; reiterates its long-standing support for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation and reaffirms its positions on the matter expressed in its resolution of 7 June 2022; mains fully aware that any positive dynamics can be easily reversed at any moment due to Turkey’s continuing destabilised actions in the region over the past years and while the underlying issues remain unresolved; calls on Turkey to respect the sovereignty of all EU Member States, over their territorial sea and airspace as well as their sovereign rights, including inter alia the right to explore and exploit natural resources, in accordance with EU and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is part of the EU acquis; expresses its full solidarity with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus; continues to call Turkey to show genuine collective engagement to the settlement of the delimitation of exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and the continental shelf in both the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, in good faith and in line with international law and the principle of good neighbourly relations, and to refrain from any unilateral illegal actions or threats; condemns, in this regard, the harassment by Turkish warships of research vessels performing surveys within the EEZ delimitated by the Republic of Cyprus; reaffirms the right of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements on its EEZ and to explore and exploit its natural resources in full compliance with international law; supports the invitation extended to Turkey by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to negotiate in good faith and in line with international law the maritime delimitation between their respective coast lines, or to have recourse to the International Court of Justice, and calls on Turkey to accept Cyprus’s invitation; reiterates the EU’s readiness to use all instruments and options at its disposal, including those under Article 29 TEU and Article 215 TFEU, in order to defend its interests and those of its Member States, as well as to uphold regional stability;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Regrets the fact that the Cyprus problem remains unresolved and reiterates its call on Türkiye, to commit and contribute to a comprehensive settlement in line with United Nations Security Council relevant resolutions; reiterates its support for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, including of its external aspects, within the UN framework and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions, international law and in line with the EU acquis and the principles on which the Union is founded; deeply regrets that Türkiye has abandoned the agreed UN framework; condemns in this regard statements by Turkish President and by the leader imposed by Turkey upon the Turkish Cypriots, calling for a two-state solution in Cyprus; calls on Türkiye to abandon this unacceptable proposal for a two-state solution; strongly condemns any action to facilitate or assist in any way the international recognition of the secessionist illegal entity in the occupied areas of Cyprus and stresses that such actions severely damage efforts to create an environment conducive to resuming settlement talks under the auspices of the United Nations; Welcomes and supports the proposals of the President of the Republic of Cyprus which aim at breaking the stalemate in the settlement process and calls for a more active engagement by the EU in this regard; urges the European Council to appoint an EU envoy to support future peace talks within the UN- centred framework; urges the Government of Türkiye to engage constructively in resuming UN-led negotiations; calls on the Turkish Government to return to dialogue based on the UN format, which represents the only viable path towards reconciliation;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Praises the important work of the United Nations-facilitated bi-communal Committee on Missing Persons (CMP); it recalls Türkiye that this is a major long- standing humanitarian issue that severely perpetuates the suffering of the Greek- Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot missing persons and of their relatives; calls on Türkiye to conduct a meaningful and effective investigation for the ascertainment of the fate or whereabouts of the Greek-Cypriot missing persons - in line with the 2001 judgment on the interstate application of Cyprus against Turkey - delivered by the European Court of Human Rights, and to grant CMP full access to all relevant archives and military areas to be followed up by concrete actions and further expedited;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Further calls on Türkiye to withdraw its troops from Cyprus and refrain from any unilateral action which would entrench the permanent division of the island and to refrain from action altering the demographic balance on the island through a policy of illegal settlements; condemns the fact that Türkiye continues to violate UN Security Council resolutions 550(1984) and 789(1992), which call on Türkiye to transfer the area of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants under the temporary administration of the UN, by the partial reopening of Varosha and by supporting the opening of the town of Varosha to the public; takes the view that those illegal actions undermines mutual trust and hence the prospect of a resumption of talks on a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and calls on Türkiye to reverse these actions and avoid any other unilateral actions that could raise further tensions on the island, in compliance with the call of the UNSC; expresses in this regard serious concern over the recent, new illegal activities in the fenced off area of Varosha for the opening of a new part of the beach;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Reiterates its call on the Turkish Government to halt its plans for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is located in a region prone to severe earthquakes, therefore posing a major threat not only to Türkiye, but also to the Mediterranean region; asks the Turkish Government to involve the governments of its neighbouring countries in relation to any further developments in the Akkuyu venture; to facilitate an experts’ mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency for inspection of the facility after the devastating earthquakes; to align its legislation with relevant EU acquis on nuclear safety and proceed with cross- border cooperation with neighboring states; to accede to the UN Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Trans-boundary Context and the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 g (new)
Paragraph 13 g (new)
13g. Remains deeply concerned about the restrictions faced by the enclaved Greek Cypriots in the free and unhindered exercise of their rights to education and freedom of religion;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 h (new)
Paragraph 13 h (new)
13h. Condemns the repeated attempts by Türkiye to intimidate and gag Turkish Cypriot journalists and progressive citizens in the Turkish Cypriot community, thus violating their right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 i (new)
Paragraph 13 i (new)
13i. Regrets Türkiye’s continuing refusal to comply with aviation law and establish a channel of communication between air traffic control centres in Türkiye and the Republic of Cyprus, the absence of which entails real safety risks and dangers as identified by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations; takes the view that this could be an area where Türkiye could prove its commitment to confidence- building measures and calls on Türkiye to collaborate by fully implementing EU aviation law;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its firm conviction that Türkiye is a country of strategic relevance in political, economic and foreign policy terms, a key partner for the stability of the wider region and a vital ally, including within NATO, and reaffirms that the EU is committed to pursuing the best possible relations with Türkiye based on dialogue, respect and mutual trust in line with international law and good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its firm conviction that Türkiye is a country of strategic relevance in political, economic and foreign policy terms, a key partneactor for the stability of the wider region and a vital ally, including within NATO, and reaffirms that the EU is committed to pursuing the best possible relations with Türkiye based on dialogue, respect and mutual trust;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recalls its position, as expressed in previous resolutions, on the introduction of an initiative in the Council for all EU Member States to halt the licensing of arms exports to Türkiye in accordance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Regrets that the current Customs Union will not achieve its full potential until Türkiye fully and effectively implements the Additional Protocol in relation to all Member States including the Republic of Cyprus in a non- discriminatory manner, which is a prerequisite for the opening of the negotations for the upgrading;
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that visa liberalisation will be possible once all the criteria have been fully and effectively met in a non- discriminatory manner towards all Member States;
Amendment 379 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Reiterates its call on Türkiye to comply with the EU declaration issued on September 21, 2005 and to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-a-vis all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus; regrets that Türkiye has still not made progress towards the normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus; reiterates that recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accesion process, of Customs Union and every agreement between the EU and Türkiye and calls for progress without any further delay;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Deeply regrets the conversion of the Hagia Sophia historical-religious monument into a mosque without prior dialogue, which could violate the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage to which Türkiye is a signatory; calls on Türkiye’s Government to reconsider and reverse this decision in order to fully respect the historical and cultural character of cultural and religious monuments and symbols, especially UNESCO world heritage sites; recalls that Hagia Sophia is a place open for all communities and religions and calls on UNESCO to take proper actions in order to safeguard this World Heritage Site;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Reaffirms its support forcalls the need for Türkiye to fulfil its legal obligations under the EU - Türkiye Customs Union and deplores the continuous violations of the current framework; Regrets that the current Customs Union will not achieve its full potential until Türkiye fully and effectively implements the Additional Protocol in relation to all Member States including the Republic of Cyprus in a non-discriminatory manner, which is a prerequisite for the opening of the negotiations for the upgrading; Reaffirms its position that an upgraded customs union with a broader, mutually beneficial scope, which could encompass a wide range of areas of common interest, including digitalisation and Green Deal alignment; insists that such a modernisation would need to be based on strong conditionality related to human rights and the aforfundamental freedoms, respect for international law and good neighbourly relations, and that it can only be envisaged upon Türkiye’s full implementationed principles of the Additional Protocol to extend the Ankara Agreement towards all Member States without reserve and in a non-discriminatory fashion; stresses that both parties must be fully aware of this democratic conditionality from the outset of any negotiations, as Parliament will not give its consent to the final agreement if no progress is made in thisose fields; remains ready to advance towards visa liberalisation as soon as the Turkish authorities fulfil the six outstanding benchmarkly and effectively meet all criteria in a non-discriminatory manner towards all member-states;