34 Amendments of Giorgos GEORGIOU related to 2019/2176(INI)
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)
Citation 14 a (new)
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas Turkey has been repeatedly asked to refrain from all actions, which violate the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU member- states, as well as from provocations which impair the prospects for a constructive and sincere dialogue;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern that Turkey’s continuous and growing distancing from European values and standards has brought EU-Turkey relations to a historical low point, having deteriorated to such an extent that it requires both parties to profoundly reassess the current framework ofstate of their relations;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that no incentive that the EU could offer can ever replace the much- needed political will to build a mature democracy, and respect the principle of good neighbourly relations and, in turn, become a member of the EU;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that, since Parliament’s last report, the situation, far from improving, has deteriorated even further; firmly insists, therefore, on the formal suspension of accession negotiations with Turkey, in order for both sidesTurkey to review in a realistic manner the appropriateness of the current framework and its ability to function, or, if necessary, to explore possible new modelsits willingness to comply with the current framework, which remains the pre-requisite for a future relationsaccession to the EU;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the current lack of understanding between the EU and Turkey, but reaffirms its firm conviction that Turkey is a strategica democratic Turkey can be an important neighbour and ally with which the EU wishes to have the best possible relations provided that Turkey endorses a mutual policy of respect towards the EU and all its member-states;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its will to strengthen and deepen mutual knowledge and understanding between Turkish and European societies, combating all manifestations of social, religious or cultural prejudice; expresses its full commitment to continue supporting Turkey’s independent civil society in whatever circumstances and framework of relations that the future may bring; believes, nevertheless, that the accession process would still be the most powerful tool to exercise normative pressure on the Turkish government and the best framework to sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society; stresses that a purely transactional relationship will hardly contribute to the advancement of Turkey towards a more democratic model;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that this fundamental area, which is at the core of the accession process, cannot be disconnected and isolated from overall relations and that it remains the maina serious obstacle to progress on any positive agenda that could be offered to Turkey;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Deeply regrets that this repressive form of rule has now become a deliberate, relentless, systematic state policy, which extends to any critical activities, such as the use of the right of assembly and demonstration, the Kurdish activism, or even to events that took place prior to the attempted coup, such as the Gezi protests;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets that the current overly broad anti-terrorism provisions and the abuse of the anti-terror measures have become the backbone of this state policy; is very concerned that, as noted in the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review, the Turkish authorities do not plan any revision of the anti-terrorism law; reiterates its firm condemnation of theany violence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), whiand is concerned about the terrorist attacks in Turkey, such has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2002the alleged IS attack in Ankara Gar in 2015; hopes for a comprehensive clarification and follow-up;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned about the constant attacks and pressure on the opposition parties, which undermines the proper functioning of a democratic system; is deeply concerned about the gradually increasing pressure on the main opposition party (CHP) and its leader, including the confiscation of party brochures by court order, the application for waiver of immunity against the leader on the basis of his political statements, or by the threats made publicly against the CHP leader by a convicted criminal from the field of organised crime and member of the fascist Grey Wolves Movement; is shocked that these threats are described by the de facto coalition partner (MHP- Devlet Bahçeli) as a "democratic expression";
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes with great concern the way that the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has been specifically and continuously targeted by the Turkish authorities; strongly condemns the continued detention of both former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ and the former mayor of Diyarbakır Gülten Kışanak;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on Turkey to release all imprisoned human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, academics and others who have been detained on unsubstantiated charges and to enable them to carry out their work without threat or impediment in all circumstances; strongly condemns the re-arrest and continued detention of Osman Kavala, a prominent civil society figure and Ahmet Altan, a prominent author writer; ;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Regrets that there is growing economic leverage on behalf of the government, including non-transparent distribution of public funds (advertising, public tenders),which allows almost complete control of mass media
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls upon the Turkish authorities to demonstrate zero tolerance towards all incidents of physical and verbal abuse or threats against journalists and activists.
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls on the Turkish authorities to promote positive and effective reforms in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality
Amendment 399 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Turkish authorities to fully respect the historical and cultural character of cultural and religious monuments and symbols, especially those that have been classified as UNESCO world heritage sites
Amendment 408 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Notes with great concern that child labour is still widespread in Turkey, that child abuse has increased in Koran schools and in juvenile prisons; calls for a definitive end to the planned amendment to the law which provides for minors to marry their rapists;
Amendment 415 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21c. Recalls that trade union freedom and social dialogue are crucial to the development of a pluralist society; regrets in this context the legislative shortcomings in labour and trade union rights and stresses that the right to organise, the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike are fundamental rights of workers; is further concerned about the persistence of strong anti-union discrimination by employers and the dismissals, harassment and imprisonment to which managers and members of some unions continue to be subjected; calls on the Turkish authorities to align themselves with the ILO core labour standards to which the country has committed itself;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21d. Stresses that workers are being sacked en masse for organising themselves in trade unions; stresses in this regards the very questionable reasons that are put forward for such dismissals;
Amendment 422 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21e. Is concerned that people living in poverty are the main victims of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, notes with concern the allegation that the number of infected people is being hidden;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 f (new)
Paragraph 21 f (new)
21f. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly increased unemployment and poverty rates in Turkey;
Amendment 430 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Is alarmed by the consolidation of an authoritarian interpretation of the presidential system; is deeply concerned about the continued hyper-centralisation of power in the Presidency, which does not ensure a sound and effective separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches and the judiciary; notes with concern that the presidential system in Turkey shows more and more unmistakable signs of an autocracy;
Amendment 460 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Strongly condemns the removal and imprisonment of democratically elected mayors from office on the basis of questionable evidence and, in particular, their arbitrary replacement by unelected trustees appointed by the central government; strongly believes these unlawful decisions constitute a direct attack on the most basic principles of democracy, depriving millions of voters of their democratically elected representation;
Amendment 483 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recalls the laudable role played by Turkey in responding to the migration crisis resulting from the war in Syria; takes the view that the EU should continue to give the necessary support to Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey; supports an objective assessment ofIs concerned about the development of an extremely explosive atmosphere explicitly against Syrian refugees, that attacks against Syrian refugees have increased including cases of death; takes the view that the EU- Turkey Statement and underlines the importance of both parties’ compliance with their respective commitments, namely the refugee deal with Turkey, should be terminated immediately;
Amendment 497 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the European Union not to remain complacent and rely on the 2016 EU -Turkey statement, which should be terminated, and to pursue a change in its immigration policy, especially now that the anti-immigration front in Europe is gaining ground.
Amendment 513 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. StressReiterates that athe modernisation of the Customs Union could be beneficial for both parties and would keep Turkey economically and normatively anchored to the EU; reiterates that this would need tis incumbent upon the full and indiscriminate implementation of Turkey’s current obligations, which derive from the present Customs Union Agreement between EU- Turkey, whilst also being based on a strong conditionality related to human rights and fundamental freedoms as prescribed through the Copenhagen criteria; highlights that it seems unrealistic to envisage any modernisation of the Customs Union given the current circumstances; recalls that the current Customs Union will not achieve its full potential until Turkey fully implements the Additional Protocol in relation to all Member States;
Amendment 539 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is deeply concerned by the ongoing dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean and the related risk of a military escalation; condemns Turkey’s illegal activities in Greek and Cypriot waters, whichthus violate both theing the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU Mmember S-states and international laws protected under the international Law of the Sea and the EU acquis; it deplores that Turkey continues to conduct illegal drillings within the lawfully delimitated EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus and threatens to create new fait accompli contrary to the provisions of UNCLOS; expresses its full solidarity with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus; urges Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes and to refrain from any unilateral and illegal action or threat, which undermines the prospects for constructive dialogue and are not conducive to good neighbourly relations in the region;
Amendment 551 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls on all EU Member States, in view of Turkey's militarised foreign policy, to stop all arms exports to Turkey;
Amendment 559 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns the partial re"opening" of Varosha beach, whichy Turkey on the occupied area of Cyprus, which negatively alters the situation on the ground, undermines mutual trust and therefore the prospect of the resumption of direct talks on the comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue; calls on Turkey to reverse this action; reiterates its support for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality; and underlines that this unilateral action violates past agreements and all the relevant UNSC resolutions, particularly Resolutions 550(1984) and789(1992) which call upon Turkey to transfer the Varosha area to its lawful inhabitants under the temporary administration of the UN; warns against any change of the status quo at Varosha in violation of the aforementioned UNSC resolutions;
Amendment 572 #
28a. Welcomes the efforts under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem; reiterates its support for a comprehensive, fair and viable solution on the agreed basis of bicommunal bizonal federation with political equality, as this is defined by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, providing for one state with a single sovereignty, a single international legal personality and a single citizenship, in accordance with international law, the EU acquis and the principles on which the EU is founded; draws attention to the call of the UN Secretary-General to relaunch the negotiations as soon as possible and from where they left off at Crans Montana in 2017, therefore on the basis of (a) the Common Declaration of the two leaders of 11 February 2014, (b) his Six Points Framework of 30 June 2017 providing, inter alia, for the termination of the Treaty of Guarantee, of any unilateral right of intervention and the speedy withdrawal of all occupation forces, and (c)the convergences achieved by the end of the Conference; regrets that the highest Turkish authorities have endorsed the two state solution and urges Turkey to review its stance, commit concretely to the UN Secretary General’s call and contribute to the comprehensive settlement on the agreed basis as this is to the mutual benefit of all the involved parties;
Amendment 579 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Amendment 589 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Strongly condemns the Turkish military interventions in Syria, especially in the northeast and Idlib, which constitute grave violations of international law and calls on the Turkish government to end its illegal occupation of northern Syria and Afrin and withdraw its military and paramilitary proxy forces;
Amendment 626 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that, rather than calling for an end to the violence and for a resumption of peaceful negotiations supporting the efforts of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Turkey instead decided to unconditionally sustain the military actions of one of the sides in the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and, in violation of the international law, sent foreign proxy forces from Syria to support the war effort;