Activities of Demetris PAPADAKIS related to 2022/2205(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2022 Report on Türkiye (debate)
Amendments (49)
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 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the European Court of Human Rights, Cyprus v. Turkey, Judgment of 2001,
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 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Remains deeply concerned about the lack of independence of the judiciary, the continued breach of the obligation to abide by the landmark rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, the serious restrictions on fundamental freedoms – particularly freedom of expression and, of association and of assembly – and the constant attacks on the fundamental rights of members of the opposition, lawyers, journalists, academics and civil society activists in Türkiye; is particularly worried by the continued crackdown on Kurdish politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists; expresses concern about the deterioration of the rights of women and the constant targeting and harassment of LGBTI+ people, both of whom could see their rights further curtailed by the possible amendments to Türkiye’s constitutionstresses the need for a free, transparent and balanced media landscape;
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 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Remains deeply concerned about the lack of independence of the judiciary; urges the government to ensure due process and the right to a fair trial to all; expresses concern about reports of excessive violence being imposed on prisoners; strongly stresses the need to ensure humane treatment of all prisoners, in accordance with basic human rights;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Is particularly worried by the continued crackdown on Kurdish politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists; condemns Türkiye’s military action in Syria; calls on Turkey to end its occupation of Syrian territories and its impact on the Kurdish population;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8c. Expresses concern about the deterioration of the rights of women and the constant targeting and harassment of LGBTI+ people, both of whom could see their rights further curtailed by the possible amendments to Türkiye’s constitution; in this regard, urges Türkiye to re-join to the Istanbul Convention;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Concludes that the Turkish Government has no interest in closing the persistent and growing gap between Türkiye and the EU on values and standards, as it has shown, for the past few years, a clear lack of political will to carry out the necessary reforms to address, in particular, the serious concerns about the rule of law and, fundamental rights and the protection and inclusion of all ethnic, religious and sexual minorities that continue to negatively affect the country’s EU accession process;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Takes note of the efforts made by Türkiye to continue hosting a large refugee population; welcomes, in this regard, the continued provision of EU funding for refugees and host communities in Türkiye, and expresses its commitment to sustaining this support in the future; calls on the Commission to ensure the utmost transparency and accuracy in the allocation of funds under the successor to the Facility for Refugees in Türkiye, ensuring that the funds are primarily given directly to the refugees and host communities and managed by organisations that guarantee accountability and transparency; supports an objective assessment of the cooperation between the EU and Türkiye on refugees and migration matters and underlines the importance of both sides complying with their respective commitments under the EU-Turkey Joint Statement of 2016 and the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement vis-à vis all Member States, including the resumption of the readmission of returnees from the Greek islands, or the activation of the Voluntary Humanitarian Admissions Scheme; recalls Türkiye’s obligation to take any necessary measures to prevent new sea or land routes for irregular migration opening from Türkiye to the EU, and its will to cooperate with neighbouring states as well as the EU to this effect and with fundamental rights as part of its implementation process;
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 265 #
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 resolutionmains fully aware that any positive dynamics can be easily reversed at any moment 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; continues, in particular, to call Türkiye to show genuine collective engagement to negotiating the delimitation of exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and the continental shelf in good faith and in line with international rules and principles; 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 Türkiye by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to negotiate in good faith the maritime delimitation between their respective coast lines, or to have recourse to the International Court of 7 June 2022stice, and calls on Türkiye to accept Cyprus’s invitation;
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 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Regrets the fact that the Cyprus problem remains unresolved and stresses that a solution in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and within the agreed framework will have a positive impact on Türkiye’s relations with the EU; strongly reaffirms its view that the only sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is that of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement, including of its external aspects, within the UN framework, with a single international legal personality, single sovereignty, single citizenship and political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded;
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 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Deplores the fact that the Turkish Government has abandoned the agreed basis of the solution and the UN framework to defend on 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 entity in the occupied areas of Cyprus and stresses that such actions severely damages efforts to create an environment conducive to resuming settlement talks under the auspices of the United Nations;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. 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; condemns the fact that Turkey 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 supporting the opening of the town of Varosha to the public; takes the view that this move undermines mutual trust and hence the prospect of a resumption of talks on a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem; 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 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)
Paragraph 13 e (new)
13e. Welcomes 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; calls on the Turkish Cypriot leader to return to dialogue based on the UN format, which represents the only viable path towards reconciliation; urges that negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus be resumed under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 f (new)
Paragraph 13 f (new)
13f. Reiterates its call on Türkiye to fulfil its obligation of full, non- discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement towards all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus; regrets the fact that Türkiye has still not made progress towards normalising its relations with the Republic of Cyprus; underlines the fact that cooperation remains essential in areas such as justice and home affairs as well as aviation law and air traffic communications with all EU Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus;
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 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers, in view of all the above, that in the absence of a drastic change of course by the Turkish Government, Türkiye’s EU accession process has lost its purpose and will not endure much longer in the current circumstances; recommends, in that case, starting a reflection process to find an alternative and realisticaffirms nevertheless its support for keeping the accession process and its value-based approach as the main framework for EU- Türkiye relations in substitution for the accession process; calls on the Commission, therefore, to explore possible formats for a mutually appealing framework through a comprehensive and inclusive process, as it is still the most powerful tool to exercise normative pressure on and constructive dialogue with t Türkiye and the best framework to sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society and promote convergence with the EU;
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 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Reaffirms its support for 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 this field; remains ready to advance towards visa liberalisation as soon as the Turkish authorities fulfil the six outstanding benchmarks;