Activities of Giorgos GEORGIOU related to 2022/2205(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2022 Report on Türkiye (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 2022 Commission Report on Türkiye
Amendments (33)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
– having regard to the negotiating framework for Turkey of 3 October 2005, and the full adherence to Copenhagen criteria which remains a precondition for the successful outcome of any accession process,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the declaration issued by the then European Community and its Member States on 21 September 2005, following the declaration made by Turkey upon signature on 29 July 2005 of the Ankara Protocol, including the provision that the recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the negotiations, and to the need for Turkey 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 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)
Citation 4 b (new)
– having regard to the restrictive measures’ framework established by the EU on 11 November 2019, as a result of the illegal drilling activities of Turkey in Eastern Mediterranean, which was renewed on 12 November 2020 and 12 November 2021,
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
– having regard to Resolution 2459 (2022) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of 12 October 2022 entitled ‘The honouring of obligations and commitments by Türkiye’ and to the related report by its Monitoring Committee of 14 September 2022, and the interim resolution of 16 September 2021 on the execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Cyprus v. Turkey by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council on Cyprus, including resolution 186 (1964) which reaffirms the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, 550 (1984) of 11 May 1984 on secessionist actions in Cyprus, and resolution 789 (1992) of 25 November 1992 urging all concerned in the Cyprus question to commit themselves to the confidence-building measures set out in the resolution, whilst reaffirming the consideration of resolution 550 (1984) that any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants are inadmissible and calling for the transfer of that area to the administration of the United Nations,
Amendment 66 #
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 and provocations against EU member- states, including against the Republic of Cyprus and Greece, which impair the prospects for a constructive dialogue and pose additional obstacles in its relations with the EU;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas, the tensions between the EU and Turkey, in relation to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean have de-escalated but not ceased;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas Turkey has been repeatedly asked to refrain from all actions which violate the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU member-states in violation of international and EU law;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, after the efforts in previous years to depict in detail the developments regarding many aspects of Türkiye’s EU accession process and EU- Türkiye relations, this resolution intends to offer a more concise political assessment of the way forward, taking into consideration that the European Council offered to nurture a more positive dynamic in EU-Turkey relations by expressing readiness to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner in a number of areas of common interest; ;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 174 #
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, as well as the resolutions adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe pending the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is dismayed by the fact that, far from the negative trend stopping or being reversed, the democratic backsliding in Türkiye has continued in the last year, with new legal reforms and a relentless crackdown on any critical voice, particularly ahead of and during the recent elections; affirms with regret that Türkiye has now become a global showcase for all kinds of authoritarian practices; it is concerned that after the last elections, repression and persecution of political opposition will intensify due to the worsening of the country's economic situation;
Amendment 206 #
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 the constant attacks on the fundamental rights of members of the opposition, lawyers, trade unionists, members of minorities, 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 constitution; reminds of the situation of political prisoners suffering tortures, especially the situation of Mücella Yapıcı (72 years old), who was imprisoned in the Gezi trial, and notes the increase in deaths;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Reiterates its strong condemnation of Turkey’s withdrawal, by presidential decree, from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention);a decision that is particularly alarming against the background of continuing high number of femicides in the country; in deploring this decision it underlines that it constitutes an enormous set back to efforts to promote women’s rights in the country and reiterates its call on Turkey’s Government to reverse this unacceptable decision;
Amendment 225 #
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 normalise its relations with EU Member States that continue to negatively affect the country’s EU accession process; notes with concern that there are still no signs of implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and consequently releasing political prisoners such as Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes, 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 decision; regrets though that Türkiye is yet to take concrete steps in normalising its relations with all states in the region in adherence with international law and stop illegally intervening in regional crises;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is concerned about the way in which Turkey continues to take advantage of the fact that it is hosting the largest refugee population in the world; by trying in particular to leverage refugees against the EU; reiterates that the continued provision of EU funding for refugees and host communities in Turkey is incumbent upon the strict adherence of Turkey to relevant international law standards, and takes the view that the deficits of the current refugee deal with Turkey must be immediately addressed in an effort to continue sustaining EU support in the future but in an appropriate framework;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Regrets the fact that Turkey is constantly increasing the instrumentalization of refugees against the Republic of Cyprus and Greece and asks for the immediate termination of this deplorable practice which victimises the refugees and in the absence of genuine EU solidarity policies multiplies the administrative and financial pressure on the two EU member-states;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)
Paragraph 12 d (new)
12d. Calls on all EU Member States, in view of Turkey’s militarized foreign policy, to stop all arms exports to Turkey;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 e (new)
Paragraph 12 e (new)
12e. Reiterates its call on the Turkish Government to halt its plans for the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, located in a region prone to severe earthquakes as the recent devastating experience underlines, hence posing a major threat not only to Turkey, but also to the entire Mediterranean region; requests, accordingly, that the Turkish Government join the Espoo Convention, which commits its parties to notifying and consulting each other on major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries; asks, to this end, the Turkish Government to involve, or at least consult, the governments of its neighbouring countries in relation to any further developments in the Akkuyu venture;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the overalpartial de-escalation of tensions observed in the eastern Mediterranean in recent times, particularlytowards Greece in the wake of the February earthquakes, and expresses its hope that this is not reversed and will provide an opportunity for a possible new era in Türkiye’s foreign policy in the eastern Mediterranean which might yield positive results in the bilateral relations between Türkiye and all EU Member States; reiterates its long- standing support fin this regard, it calls on Turkey to refrain from all kinds of provocations and threats against the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU member-states as protected under the international Law of the Sea, UNCLOS and the EU acquis, including the lawful right of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and explore a solution to the Cyprus problem on thend exploit natural resources within its lawfully delimitated EEZ; deplores the fact that the Cyprus problem remains unresolved and reiterates its long- standing support for a comprehensive, just and viable solution on the agreed basis of a bi- communal, bi-zonal federation and reaffirms its positions on the matter expressed in its resolution of 7 June 2022with political equality, as this is defined by the relevant UNSC 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 on the principles on which the EU is founded; reaffirms its positions on the matter expressed in its resolution of 7 June 2022 and deeply regrets that Türkiye continues to insist on its unacceptable position for a two states solution; strongly urges Türkiye and Mr. Tatar to abandon this unacceptable and divisionist position and take concrete steps in the resumption of meaningful and substantial negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General as soon as possible and from where they left off at Crans Montana in 2017;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Condemns Turkey for continuing to provocatively ignore the unambiguous calls of the international community, including of the EU, to reverse its illegal activities at Varosha and refrain from proceeding with new unilateral actions that create severe tensions on the island; expresses its deep concern in relation to the ongoing “opening” of Varosha by Türkiye as this negatively alters the situation on the ground, undermines mutual trust and negatively impacts on the prospects for the resumption of direct talks on the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem; strongly urges Turkey for once more to reverse its illegal and unilateral actions at Varosha and reiterates that these violate past agreements and convergences, as well as all the relevant UNSC resolutions; particularly Resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) which call upon Türkiye to transfer the area of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants under the temporary administration of the UN; warns against changes impinging upon the status quo at Varosha in violation of the aforementioned UNSC resolutions;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on Turkey to refrain from any unilateral actions which entrench on the ground the permanent division of the island as opposed to its reunification and jeopardise the prospects of substantial negotiations; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its troops from Cyprus and to refrain from any actions altering the demographic balance on the island through its policy of illegal settlements; taking note of the significant work of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP) calls for improved access to military zones by the Turkish army, access to its military archives and information as to the relocation of remains from former to latter burial sites;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Stresses the need for the EU acquis to be implemented across the entire island following the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem; in the meantime, the Republic of Cyprus is responsible for stepping up its efforts to facilitate the engagement of Turkish Cypriots with the EU;
Amendment 342 #
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;
Amendment 364 #
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 haswill loste its purpose and will not endure much longer iin the long - term given the current circumstances; recommends, in that case, starting a reflection process to find an alternative and realistic framework forregarding the EU- Türkiye relations in substitution for the accession procesaiming at keeping open the accession process whilst respecting the value-based approach of the EU which is in place vis-à-vis all candidate for membership states; calls on the Commission, therefore, to explore possible formats for a mutually appealing framework through a comprehensive and inclusive process;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Insists that democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights should remain at the heart of good neighbourly relations between the EU and Türkiye and that any framework for those relations should be firmly underpinned byEU and Türkiye relations; reaffirms that respect for the principles of international law and multilateralism remains unconditional;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Acknowledges and commends the democratic and pro-European aspirations of the majority of Turkish society (particularly among Turkish youth), whom the EU will not forsake; expresses its utmost commitment to sustaining and increasing the support for Türkiye’s independent civil society in whatever circumstances and under whatever framework for relations that the future may bring;
Amendment 390 #
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 is incumbent upon Türkiye’s prior, full and non- discriminatory implementation of the existing agreement vis-à-vis all EU member states and would need to be based on strong conditionality related to human rights, international law and the aforementioned principles; stresses that both parties must be fully aware of this democraticese conditionalityies from the outset of any negotiations, as Parliament will not give its consent to the final agreement if no progress is madewithout results in thisese fields; remains ready to advance towards visa liberalisation as soon as the Turkish authorities fulfil the six outstanding benchmarks fully and in a non-discriminatory manner towards all EU Member States and stop inhumanly instrumentalising migrants to leverage politically the EU, including the instigation of migratory flows towards the Republic of Cyprus;