Activities of Eleni THEOCHAROUS related to 2012/2870(RSP)
Plenary speeches (2)
2012 progress report on Turkey (debate)
2012 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Amendments (20)
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4a (new)
Citation 4a (new)
- having regard to its resolutions on the Armenian-Turkey relations of 18 June 1987 and on the opening of negotiations with Turkey of 28 September 2005,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
– having regard to the fact that Turkey has committed itself to reforms, it must also refrain from any threat against EU member states and thus maintain good neighbourly relations and progressive alignment with the EU, and that; these efforts should be viewed as an opportunity for Turkey itself to continue to modernise, and consolidate and further improve its democratic institutions, the rule of law and the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13
Citation 13
– having regard to the fact that in its conclusions of 11 December 2012 the Council endorsed the Commission's new approach, concerning the negotiating frameworks of new candidate states, to place the rule of law at the heart of the enlargement policy and confirmed the centrality in the negotiating process of chapter 23 on judiciary and fundamental rights and chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security, which should be tackled early in the negotiations to allow clear benchmarks and maximum time to establish the necessary legislation, institutions and solid track records of implementation,
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Commends the Commission and Turkey for the implementation of the positive agenda, which proves how, in a context of mutual engagement and clear objectives, Turkey and the EU could advance their dialogue, achieve common understanding and produce positive change; believes that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating adequathe conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understanding; also stresses that the whole procedure is in the context of the negotiating framework;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Council decision to invite the Commission to take steps towards visa liberalisation as a gradual and long term perspective, in parallel with the signature of the readmission agreement; urges Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay and to ensure that, until this agreement enters into force and is fully and effectively implemented towards all Member States, existing bilateral agreements are fully implemented; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for illegal migration to the EU and underlines the need to intensify cooperation with the EU on migration management, the fight against human trafficking and, border controls, and ensuring Turkey's effective cooperation with all Member States on Justice and Home Affairs issues; stresses once again the importance of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society from Turkey; supports the efforts of the Commission and the Member States to implement the visa code, harmonise and simplify visa requirements and create visa facilitating centres in Turkey; Reminds the Member States of their commitments under the association agreement in line with the Soysal Ruling of the European Court of Justice of 19 February 2009;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7a (new)
Paragraph 7a (new)
7a. Expresses concern regarding the recent recurring killings, especially of four old women in Istanbul, of Turkish citizens of Armenian origin, which does not help the Turkish efforts towards the Turkish accession to the EU; calls upon the Turkish government to fully investigate this issue, in line with the legal democratic procedures, as they stem from all the relevant international conventions concerning the respect for human rights;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Fully supports the Commission's new approach - concerning the negotiating framework of the new candidate States - to open the chapters on the judiciary and fundamental rights and on justice and home affairs early on in the negotiation process and to close them as the very last ones; stresses that official benchmarks would provide a clear roadmap and would give a boost to the reform process; calls therefore on the Council for renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24, and calls upon the Turkish government to fulfil all of its relevant legal obligations stemming from the acquis communautaire and the negotiating framework and fully respect, without discrimination, the sovereign rights of the EU member states, especially the fundamental rights and judiciary systems;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Deeply regrets Turkey's decision to abstain from meetings and contacts with the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU and takes the view that Turkey missed an important opportunity to start a process of engagement and normalisation of relations with Cyprus; recalls that the EU is based on the principles of sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity amongst all its Member States and respect for the institutional framework; Calls upon the Turkish government to fully comply with its legal obligations stemming from the acquis communautaire and particularly from the Declaration issued by the European Community and its Member States on 21 September 2005;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses once again its strong support to the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair democratic and viable settlement for both communities; underlines the urgency of an agreement between the two communities on how to proceed with the substantive settlement negotiations, so that the negotiating process, under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, can soon regain momentumin line with the values and principles upon which the EU is founded, as the solution cannot negatively affect neither the human rights of the Cypriot citizens nor European affairs, by creating a negative and dangerous political precedent and model for the EU cohesion; underlines the urgency of an agreement between the two communities on how to proceed with the substantive settlement negotiations, so that the negotiating process can soon regain momentum; takes the view that such a process should remain under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and the positive and catalytic EU support, so that the democratic values and principles are fully respected and enshrined; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and transfer Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants and the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984) and thus facilitating the efforts towards a comprehensive solution; calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to open the port of Famagusta under EU customs supervision in order to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reunification negotiations and allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to alland allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all, in line with and full respect of International Law, the acquis communautaire and the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, as the Protocol 10 and the Treaties provide for;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23a (new)
Paragraph 23a (new)
23a. Deplores the Turkish political attitude during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council, which is also reflected in the Turkish government political decision to cancel the 70th JPC meeting and fully regrets that the Turkish side missed the opportunity for constructive Interparliamentary political dialogue, which would have helped with the Turkish accession negotiations with the aim of coming out from the existing deadlock;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Encourages Turkey to intensify its support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, in particular by facilitating its access to military zones and archives; and to take all other appropriate action, in accordance with the findings of the ECHR, on the humanitarian issue of the missing persons;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24a (new)
Paragraph 24a (new)
24a. Calls on Turkey to address the issue of the settlement of Turkish citizens (settlers) on the island in accordance with the Geneva Convention and the principles of International Law;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24b (new)
Paragraph 24b (new)
24b. Urges Turkey to ensure that the rights of all displaced persons in Cyprus are respected, including those of the religious minorities, who should be allowed to freely exercise their religious rights;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24c (new)
Paragraph 24c (new)
24c. Urges Turkey to take concrete measures in order to give an end to the destruction of cultural and religious heritage sites in the northern part of Cyprus thereby saving a valuable part of European and global civilisation;
Amendment 358 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25a (new)
Paragraph 25a (new)
25a. Urges the avoidance of any kind of threat, source of friction or actions which could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes; stresses all the sovereign rights of EU Member States which include, inter alia, entering into bilateral agreements, in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25b (new)
Paragraph 25b (new)
25b. Urges both Armenia and Turkey to ratify without preconditions the protocols and calls on Turkey to open its borders with Armenia, in order to normalize their relations;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25c (new)
Paragraph 25c (new)
25c. Calls on Turkey to recognise the genocide perpetrated in 1915 against the Armenians and thus pave the way to the establishment of stable neighbourhood policy;
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Deplores Turkey's refusal to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement towards all Member States; calls upon Turkey to lift the embargo that it has placed upon vessels and airplanes belonging to the Republic of Cyprus, through the opening of its ports and airports; calls on the government to fully implement it the Additional Protocol without further delay; recalls that this refusal continues to deeply affect the process of negotiations;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27a (new)
Paragraph 27a (new)
27a. Calls upon Turkey to stop hindering all legal efforts and initiatives of the Republic of Cyprus and foreign companies which drill within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, with the aim of exploring gas and oil. Calls upon Turkey to stop violating the acquis communautaire and International Law of the Sea, which is indispensable part of its accession negotiation with the EU and therefore abide by the rules and the legal and political character of a candidate state that should fully respect the sovereign rights of all member states as the Treaties provide for;
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Welcomes the decision to enhance cooperation between the EU and Turkey on a number of important energy issues and calls on Turkey to commit to this cooperation; believes that, in view of Turkey's strategic role, initial consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy with a view to furthering the EU- Turkey strategic dialogue on energy, should the Turkish government commit itself to stop violating the sovereign rights of its neighbouring countries and fully respect the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;