Activities of Gheorghe-Vlad NISTOR related to 2021/2250(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
2021 Report on Turkey (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the 2021 Commission Report on Turkey
Amendments (21)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to the Negotiating Framework for Turkey of 3 October 2005, and to the fact that, as is the case for all accession countries, Turkey’s accession to the EU depends on full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, and to the need to normalize its relations with all EU Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
— having regard to Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), 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 Turkey to implement all judgements of the ECtHR,
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas Turkey, besides being a candidate for EU accession, is a key partner in relation to the economy, trade and migration, as well as a strategic partner and as such, Turkey is expected to respect democratic values, rule of law and human rights; whereas recently, work on the security dimension of the EU is progressing, receiving structure and substance, Turkey would represent an extremely valuable partner as a NATO member and, in this aspect, a military ally to most EU states;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in the aftermath of recent tensions between the EU and Turkey, particularly in relation to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, 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, subject to the established conditionalities set out in previous European Council conclusions, notably good neighbourly relations and respect for human rights and international law;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas being a candidate country presumes a willingness to progressively approachlign with the EU acquis in all aspects the- values, interests, standards and policies of the EU; whereas an analysis of the EU’s reports in recent years reveal that Turkey’s distance from the EU’s values and its normative framework is still considerable and is even growing in fundamental areas such as the rule of law and human rights;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas over the past year, EU- Turkey relations have on average remained stable, as enhanced cooperation and dialogue on a number of issues have coexisted with regular conflicts, such as the threat to expel Western ambassadors over their calls in relation to extremely serious matters concerning violations of human rights; whereas this report reflects this situation by welcoming positive developments and pointing to further potential in the relationship, while signalling remaining problems, in particular as regards the rule of law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its concern about the persistent distance between the EU and Turkey, despite it being a candidate country, in terms of values and standards, and the continuing 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 that continue to negatively affect the accession process; considers that without clear progress in this field, Parliament cannot envisage any resumption of accession negotiations with Turkey, which have effectively been at a standstill since 2018process; notes that in spite of Turkey’s repeated declarations on the objective of EU accession, the country lacks credible commitment in carrying out the necessary reforms; stresses that, over the past two years, we have witnessed a constant backsliding in regard to Turkey’s commitments in relation to the accession process; considers that without clear progress in this field, Parliament cannot envisage any resumption of accession negotiations with Turkey, which have effectively been at a standstill since 2018; notes that, in recent months, some positive developments have appeared and the government of Turkey adopted a more cooperative attitude, but much more still needs to be done and in a more convincing manner; encourages both sides to review their current relationship throughout a comprehensive high-level dialogue and to explore a new special partnership for the future;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes, however, that there has been a slight improvement over the past year, notably with the easing of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, in overall EU- Turkey relations, which have on average remained stable, as enhanced cooperation and dialogue on a number of issues have coexisted with regular conflicts; expresses its hope that this pattern of ‘conflictual cooperation’ can be overcome and replaced with a more positive dynamic; welcomes the High Level Dialogues on migration, security and climate as a positive development in this direction;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses concern over the current economic situation in Turkey, which through soaring inflation and a constantly rising cost of living is pushing a high and increasing number of people into hardship and poverty; believes that a stronger and more honest relationship with the EU would help with alleviating some of the hardships and assist with the improvement of living standards for the Turkish population;
Amendment 211 #
8. Notes the importance of upholding the freedom of assembly in Turkey, which is enshrined in its constitution; regrets the serious backsliding in this area in light of recurrent bans, excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators, administrative fines and prosecutions against demonstrators on charges of terrorism-related activities;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its serious concern about the disproportionate and arbitrary measures curtailing freedom of expression; welcomes the furcalls on the Turkish authorities to allow civil society organisations, NGOs, lawyers and legal representatives, and the press to function in accordance with their decrease in the number of journalists in prison in Turkeuties and within their remit and scope and to exercise their profession freely, as this provides for an overall healthier democracy and society;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Asserts that the continued prosecution, censorship and harassment of journalists and independent media remains an issue of concern, which needs to be addressed without delay, as it is degrading the democratic fibre of the Turkish society; welcomes the further decrease in the number of journalists in prison in Turkey;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes note of the adoption of the fourth and fifth judicial packages in Turkey during 2021; asserts, however, that the current problems stem not only from problematic legislation, but are often caused by a failure to implement existing adequate provisions; remains concerned about the erosion of the rule of law and judicial independence in Turkey; stresses that this is an area of highest concern to us, as it represents the keystone of a functioning democratic system that works in the service and for the benefit of the population;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Continues to urge the Turkish Government to release Osman Kavala after more than four years of detention; reiterates its call on the Turkish authorities to act in conformity with their international obligations and to abide by the final judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in this case;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Expresses deep concern about the deterioration in the human rights situation for LGBTI people, in particularin the country, especially regarding minorities and vulnerable groups, including women, ethnic, religious (where we emphasise the persecution of Christians) and sexual minorities; deplores the difficult situation faced by LGBTI people with regard to physical attacks – especially against transgender persons – the protracted bans on Pride marches across the country, restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, association and expression, and censorship in the media;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. RStresses that anti-terrorism provisions in Turkey are too broad and are used in a discretionary manner to repress the opposition and civil society and by abusing the anti-terrorist legislation, the authorities diminish the serious nature of this ever-present threat; recognises that Turkey has legitimate security concerns and the right to fight terrorism; stresses, nevertheless, that this, something that must be done with full respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms; reiterates its firm and unambiguous condemnation of the violent terrorist attacks by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2002;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Commends the efforts made by Turkey to continue hosting the largest refugee population in the world; welcomes, in this regard, the continued provision of EU funding for refugees and host communities in Turkey, and expresses its commitment to sustain this support in the future; supports an objective assessment of the EU -Turkey cooperation on refugees and migration matters and underlines the importance of both sides to comply with their respective commitments;
Amendment 433 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Reiterates its support for the Customs Union and calls on Turkey to respect its obligations, including to eliminate non-tariff barriers to free movement;
Amendment 466 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Deplores the fact that the unresolved conflict in Cyprus is a major obstacle to EU-Turkey relations; reaffirms its view that the only sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is that of a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality and political equality, in accordance with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded; deeply regrets that Turkey has abandoned this UN framework; and again invites the Turkish government to reassess the possibility of returning to dialogue on this format, as it represents the only viable way towards reconciliation; urges Turkey to maintain good neighbourly relations and to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes;
Amendment 514 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Insists that democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights should remain at the heart of EU-Turkey relations under any framework; reaffirms its support for keeping the accession process and its value-based approach as the main framework for EU-Turkey relations, as it is still the most powerful tool to exercise normative pressure and sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society; nevertheless remains open to the possibility of both sides reviewing, in a realistic manner, the appropriateness of this framework and its ability to function, or, if necessary, exploring other possible models for future relations; the EU, its members and its institutions have shown that, in recent international developments, the norms and values which are at the core of our European project, have become essential pillars in our external action and in relation with other global actors; this approach will only become stronger with the passage of time and we urge all our friends, allies and partners to take this seriously into account;
Amendment 552 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that the varying priorities of the EU institutions set out in the existing frameworks governing EU-Turkey relations make it very difficult to find an effective way to move forward; deplores the lack of a long-term strategy, a coherent policy and consistent leadership towards Turkey within the EU and among all; urges its institutions and member states to build a coherent and streamlined approach to this matter, as it is institution relation to one of our largest neighbours and most important partners;