57 Amendments of Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU related to 2016/2308(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
— having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular those of 24 November 2016 on EU-Turkey relations1 , and 27 October 2016 on the situation of journalists in Turkey2 , and of 13 November 2014 on Turkey's actions creating tensions in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0450. 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0423.
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 15 April 2015 on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide1a _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0094
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
— 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 the need for Turkey to fulproceed to the normalisation of its relations with all Member States and to fully and effectively implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement to all Member States by removing all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on means of transport, without prejudice and discrimination,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to Turkey not having implemented for the eleventh consecutive year the provisions stemming from the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and the Additional Protocol thereto; this refusal continues to have a profound negative effect on the negotiation process,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
- having regard to the fact that the basis for accession to the EU for Turkey is the full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and the EU's integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10
Citation 10
— 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 to the obligation of Turkey to implement all judgements of the European Courts,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
— having regard to the crisis in Syria, the efforts towards a ceasefire and a peaceful settlement, and Turkey’s obligations to enhance stability and promote good neighbourly relations through intensive efforts in order to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, disputes and conflicts with the neighbouring countries over land and maritime borders and airspace, in accordance with international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the UN Charter,
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
— having regard to the crisis in Syria, the efforts towards a ceasefire and a peaceful settlement, and Turkey’s obligations to enhance stability and promote good neighbourly relations through intensive efforts in order to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, disputes and conflicts with the neighbouring countries over land and maritime borders and airspace, in accordance with the UN Charter and the UNCLOS,
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines, however, that measures taken under the state of emergency had large-scale, disproportionate and long- lasting negative effects on the protection of fundamental freedoms in the country; condemns the collective dismissal of civil servants, the mass liquidation of media outlets, the arrests of journalists, academics, judges, human rights defenders, elected officials and ordinary citizens, and the confiscation of property and passports on the basis of emergency decree laws without individualised decisions, and without the possibility of timely judicial review; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners held without proof of individual involvement in committing crime or without any charges presented against them;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines, however, that measures taken under the state of emergency had large-scale, disproportionate and long- lasting negative effects on the protection of fundamental freedoms in the country; condemns the collective dismissal of civil servants, police officers, the mass liquidation of media outlets, the arrests of journalists, academics, judges, human rights defenders, elected officials and ordinary citizens, and the confiscation of property and passports on the basis of emergency decree laws without individualised decisions, and without the possibility of timely judicial review;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the strategic importance of good EU-Turkey relations for both sides; recognises that both Turkey and the EU have gone through their own internal transformation processes since the accession negotiations were opened in 2004; regrets that the accession instruments have not been used to the fullest extent and that, over the years, Turkey’s full integration into the EU has lost public support on both sides; remains committed to cooperating and maintaining an open dialogue with the Turkish Government, in order to address common challenges; recommends that the Council urgently invite the Turkish Government to a summit to discuss the obvious crisis in EU-Turkey relations that we are faced with;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of the outcome of the referendum that took place on 16 April 2017, held under the state of emergency and in circumstances that prevented a fair campaign; supports an independent evaluation of all claims regarding irregularities; notshares the remarkconcerns of the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform, and underlines that the proposed constitutional amendments do not respect the fundamental principles of the separation of powers and sufficient checks and balances, and are not in line with the Copenhagen criteria; notes the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to reopen the monitoring process for Turkey;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Expresses, once again, serious concern and urges Turkey to avoid any kind of threat or action directed against a Member State;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. NotesIs gravely concerned that measures undertaken following the declaration of the state of emergency have targeted alleged members/supporters of the Gülen movement, dissent in general and political parties of the opposition in particular; strongly condemns the imprisonment of 13 MPs belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including its co-chairs, and of 90 Kurdish municipal mayors; expresses its great concern about the severe situation of more than one hundred political prisoners, including 34 women, who are on indefinite and non-alternate hunger strike; 13 of them entered a critical stage being on hunger strike since 15 February 2017, and on the verge of irreversible damage on their health; urges the Turkish Government to lift the state of emergency immediately; underlines that the reintroduction of the death penalty would violate Turkey’s international commitments and lead to an immediate end to the EU accession talks;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that measures undertaken following the declaration of the state of emergency have targeted alleged members/supporters of the Gülen movement, dissent in general and political parties of the opposition in particular; strongly condemns the imprisonment of 13 MPs belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including its co-chairs, and of 90 Kurdish municipal mayors; urges the Turkish Government to lift the state of emergency immediately; underlines that the reintroduction of the death penalty would violate Turkey’s international commitments and lead to an immediate end to the EU accession talks due to the fact that the unequivocal rejection of the death penalty is an essential requirement for EU membership;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Condemns strongly the violations of freedom of expression and the serious infringements of media freedom, including the disproportionate bannings of media sites and social media as well as the recent blocking of Wikipedia; notes with concern the closure of around 170 media outlets - including almost all Kurdish-language outlets - and the jailing of more than 150 journalists; recalls that a free and pluralistic press is an essential component of any democracy and urges the Turkish government to release all journalists immediately; notes the continuous deterioration in the press freedom index from Reporters without borders, ranking Turkey now 155 out of 180 countries;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its serious concern at the continuously deteriorating situation in south-east Turkey, especially in the areas where curfews were imposed, where some 2 000 people were reportedly killed in the context of security operations and an estimated half a million people became displaced in the period from July 2015 to December 2016; notes that local prosecutors have consistently refused to open investigations into the reported killings; recalls that the Turkish government has a responsibility to protect all people living on its territory, irrespective of their cultural or religious origins; is convinced that only a fair political settlement of the Kurdish question can bring sustainable stability and prosperity both to the area and to Turkey as a whole; notes that a series of laws have created an atmosphere of ‘systematic impunity’ for the security forces; regrets the decision of the Turkish Parliament to waive the immunity of a large number of MPs unconstitutionally, paving the way for the arrests of opposition politicians; deplores the widespread expropriations, including properties belonging to the municipalities and also church properties, which would be a violation of the rights of religious minorities;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses its serious concern at the continuously deteriorating situation in south-east Turkey, especially in the areas where curfews were imposed, where some 2 000 people were reportedly killed in the context of security operations and an estimated half a million people became displaced in the period from July 2015 to December 2016; notes that local prosecutors have consistently refused to open investigations into the reported killings; recalls that the Turkish Government has a responsibility to protect all people living on its territory, irrespective of their ethnic and cultural origin, religion or beliefs; is convinced that only a fair political settlement of the Kurdish question can bring sustainable stability and prosperity both to the area and to Turkey as a whole; notes that a series of laws have created an atmosphere of ‘systematic impunity’ for the security forces; regrets the decision of the Turkish Parliament to waive the immunity of a large number of MPs unconstitutionally, paving the way for the arrests of opposition politicians;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on Turkey to protect the rights of the most vulnerable groups and of persons belonging to minorities; regrets that the LGBTI marches in Ankara and Istanbul weris seriously concerned about violence bannsed for the second consecutive year; is seriously concerned about gender-based violence, discriminationon religious grounds, continuous discrimination, also against Christians, hate speech against minorities, hate crime and violations of the human rights of LGBTI persons; calls on Turkey to harmonise its domestic legislation with the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, which it ratified in 2014; welcomes the government’s national strategy and action plan for Roma and encourages the authorities to address key obstacles to the social inclusion of Romacalls on the Turkish government to start implementing the strategy and to set up a monitoring and evaluation mechanism; encourages the authorities to address key obstacles to the social inclusion of Roma; expects the Turkish government to treat every Turkish citizen without any prejudice towards his or her religious belief; deplores the plans to turn the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on Turkey to protect the rights of the most vulnerable groups and of persons belonging to minorities; regrets that the LGBTI marches in Ankara and Istanbul were banned for the second consecutive year; is seriously concerned about gender-based violence, discrimination, hate speech against minorities, hate crime, lack of respect for the freedom of religion or belief and violations of the human rights of LGBTI persons; calls on Turkey to harmonise its domestic legislation with the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, which it ratified in 2014; welcomes the government’s national strategy and action plan for Roma and encourages the authorities to address key obstacles to the social inclusion of Roma;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. WBelcomieves the deepening ofat EU- Turkey relcooperations in key areas of joint interest, such as counter-terrorism, migration, energy, the economy and trade; believes EU-Turkey cooperation in these areas to can only be an investment in the stability and prosperity of both Turkey and the EU, if it is based on the full respect of fundamental rights and the implementation of the agreements towards all Member States;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that strengthening trade relations could bring concrete benefits to citizens in Turkey and the EU, and therefore supports the Commission’s proposal to start negotiations on the upgrading of the Customs Union; reiterates that the EU is Turkey’s main trading partner and that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States; considers the involvement of social partners in negotiations as crucial; calls on the Commission to include political benchmarks on human rights and, fundamental freedoms and the principle of good neighbourly relations in the upgraded Customs Union;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that strengthening tradTakes note of the prelations could bring concrete benefits to citizens in Turkey and the EU, and therefore supports the Commission’s proposal to start negotiations on the upgrading of the Customs Unparatory work for an upgrading of the EU-Turkey Customs Union, without prejudice to Member States' position; reiterates that the EU is Turkey’s main trading partner and that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States; considers the involvementconsultation of social partners in negotiations as crubeneficial; calls on the Commission to include political benchmarks on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the upgraded Customs Unionas well as a suspension clause on the implementation towards all Member States in the upgraded Customs Union; notes that a prerequisite for the modernisation of the Customs Union is that Turkey should proceed to the full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation of the existing Customs Union vis-à-vis all MS, including the Republic of Cyprus;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that strengthening trade relations could bring concrete benefits to citizens in Turkey and the EU, and therefore supports the Commission’s proposal to start negotiations on the upgrading of the Customs Union; reiterates that the EU is Turkey’s main trading partner and tha can be contemplated provided that Turkey proceeds first two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States; ce full and indiscriminate implementation of its obligationsi ders the involvement of social partners in negotiations as crucialiving from the current Customs Union Agreement between EU- Turkey; calls on the Commission to include political benchmarks on human rights and fundamental freedoms inonce the negotiations for the upgraded Customs Union begin;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that strengthening trade relations could bring concrete benefits to citizens in Turkey and the EU, and therefore supports the Commission’s proposal to start negotiations on the upgrading of the Customs Union; reiterates that the EU is Turkey’s main trading partner and that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States; is seriously concerned about the legal uncertainty and the lack of guarantee for property resulting in numerous expropriations of private companies for vague and unproved reasons; considers the involvement of social partners in negotiations as crucial; calls on the Commission to include political benchmarks on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the upgraded Customs Union; underlines that the Customs Union can only reach its full potential when Turkey fully implements the Additional Protocol vis-à-vis all Member States; recalls the finding from the 2016 Report on Turkey that duty relief, free zones, surveillance measures and management of tariff quotas are not fully in line with the acquis; notes the Commissions' conclusion that further trade integration with the EU would be stimulated by Turkey's elimination of impediments to the functioning of the Customs Union;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Deplores Turkey´s refusal to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-à-vis all member states, the Republic of Cyprus in particular; reiterates that Turkey's refusal to normalize its relations with all EU Member States has started having a negative impact on its relations with the EU, including its accession process;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on Turkey to further align its foreign policy with that of the EU in accordance with the provisions of the Negotiating Framework;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that visa liberalisation is important for the Turkish population and will enhance people-to-people contacts; encouragescalls on the Turkish Government to withdraw unilateral declarations and to comply with the finall outstanding criteria, including revision of its anti-terrorism legislation; calls on the Turkish Government to fully and effectively implement both the Visa Liberalisation Road Map and the Readmission Agreement vis-à-vis all Member States, including cooperation on JHA issues and non-discriminatory access to the Turkish territory for the citizens of all EU Member States;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that visa liberalisation is important for the Turkish population and will enhance people-to-people contacts; encourages the Turkish Government to comply with the final outstanding criteria, including revision of its anti-terrorism legislation and to fully and in a non- discriminatory manner meet all the criteria identified in the visa liberalisation roadmap towards all Member States;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to take into account the latest developments in Turkey when conducting the mid-term review of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds in 2017, and to suspend all pre-accession funds ifsince Turkey no longer sufficiently complies withdoes not fulfil the EU’s Copenhagen criteria; calls on the Commission to use those funds to support Turkish civil society and to invest more in people-to-people exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+ for students;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Condemns in the strongest terms all terrorist attacks carried out in Turkey, and stands firmly by Turkey’s population in our joint fight against terrorism; welcomes the close bilateral relations between EU Member States and Turkey in the field of anti-terrorism cooperation, including on ‘foreign fighters’; reiterates its condemnation of the return to violence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU’sstresses that the inclusion of PKK on the EU's list of terrorist organisations is standing in the way of the establishment of peace, dialogue and negotiations, at the same time that facilitates the infringement of human rights; calls therefore on the Council to revise the list and remove the PKK from the list of terrorist organisations since 2002; inv; calls on the Turkish authorities the Member States to enforce legislation banning the use of signs and symbols of organisations which are on that listo restart talks with PKK leaders for a peaceful solution for the Kurdish question; and to end the confinement of Abdullah Ocalan in prison;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls on European Council for EU embargo on arms sales to Turkey, following the decision of Germany and Austria;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Commends the engagement by the Turkish Government and the hospitality shown by the population in hosting around 3 million refugees; notes the EU-Turkey statement on migration and underlines the importance of a full and non- discriminatory implementation of all its aspects, and urges the Member States to initiate the voluntary resettlement scheme for the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey; calls on the Commission to ensure long- term investment in both refugees and their host communities in Turkey; encourages the Turkish Government to grant work permits to all Syrian refugees; calls on Ankara to keep up its patrolling efforts in the Aegean and to implement fully, to enhance efforts to combat migrant smuggling and to implement fully and effectively the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement and the bilateral readmission agreements signed with Bulgaria and Greece;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Condemns strongly the recent statements by President Erdogan accusing some EU leaders of ‘Nazi practices’ ands well as the abuse of some Member States and their citizens as 'Nazis' and insists on an official apology by the President; warns that the continuation of such unwarranted statements undermines Turkey’s credibility as a political partner; notes with concern the reports of alleged pressure on members of the Turkish diaspora living in the Member States, and condemns the Turkish authorities’ surveillance of citizens with dual nationality living abroad; is concerned at the revocation of a large number of passports, leaving people stateless;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Reiterates the need to strengthen good neighbourly relations; calls on Turkey, in this connection, to step up efforts to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, including unsettled legal obligations and disputes with its immediate neighbours over land and maritime borders and airspace, in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter and with international law; calls on the Turkish Government to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); urges the Turkish Government to end the repeated violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters, as well as the practice of Turkish military aircraft flying over Greek islands; expresses its regret that the casus belli threat declared by the Turkish Grand National Assembly against Greece has not yet been withdrawn; urges Turkey and Armenia to proceed to normalise their relations by establishing diplomatic relations without preconditions, and calls for opening the Turkish-Armenia border, which could lead to improved relations, with particular reference to cross-border cooperation and economic integration;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls upon the Turkish Government to halt its plans for the construction of the Akkuyuy nuclear power plant; points out that the envisaged site is located in a region prone to severe earthquakes, hence posing a major threat not only to Turkey but to the Mediterranean region; accordingly, requests that the Turkish Government join the Espoo Convention, which commits parties to notifying and consulting each other on major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries; to this end, asks the Turkish Government to involve, or at least consult, the governments of its neighbouring countries, such as Greece and Cyprus, during any further developments in the Akkuyu venture;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls upon the Turkish government to halt its plans for the construction of the Akkuyuy nuclear power plant; points out that the envisaged site is located in a region prone to severe earthquakes, hence posing a major threat not only to Turkey but to the Mediterranean region as a whole; requests accordingly that the Turkish government join the Espoo Convention, which commits 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 the Turkish government to involve, or at least consult, the governments of its neighbouring countries, such as Greece and Cyprus, during any further developments in the Akkuyuy venture;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Calls on Turkey to cooperate with relevant international organizations, especially the Council of Europe, in preventing and combatting illicit trafficking and the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage within Turkey and the occupied part of Cyprus;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18 c. Recalls its position adopted in the report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in 2016 about the importance of ensuring the coherence of EU policy as regards situations involving the occupation or annexation of territory; recalls, in this regard, that the immediate withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces and the full restoration of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, in line with the UNSC resolutions, should be the first step for achieving a long-term political solution, guaranteeing the well-being, security and democratic rights of all Cypriots;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that a settlement of the Cyprus problem would have a positive impact on the entire region, while first and foremost benefiting both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, would have a positive impact on the entire region; praises the leaders of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots communities in Cyprus for having achieved major progress in the settlement talks; welcomes the exchange of preferred maps, thus far unprecedented, and the first international conference held with the guarantor powers; supports thfirst international conference held at Geneva with the guarantor powers and the participation of the EU; regrets the lack of tangible progress during the discussion of security-related aspects, due to the unproductive stance demonstrated by Turkey; supports a just, viable and comprehensive settlement based on a bi- communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, a single international legal personality, single sovereignty and single citizenship with political equality between the two communities, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutionss set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions and High Level agreements, with a single international legal personality, single sovereignty and single citizenship , in line with international law and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded and the acquis communautaire; welcomes the intensified engagement by the parties to achieve the settlement of the Cyprus problem; expectscalls on Turkey to show activecomply with the EU declaration issued on September 21,2005 and to actively and concretely support for the negotiations, and reiterates that Turkey’s commitment and contribution to a comprehensive settlement remain crucial; praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), and calls on Turkey to allow access to all relevant sites and to assist the CMP by providing information from its military archivecalls on Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to transfer Varosha to the UN and to its lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC resolution 550 (1984) as an effort to pave the way for a democratic comprehensive settlement; notes that the EU has much to gain from a viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus problem, thus creating the conditions for good neighbourly relations and improvement in EU-Turkey relations;
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that a settlement of the Cyprus problem would have a positive impact on the entire region, while first and foremost benefiting both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; praises the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus for having achieved major progress in the settlement talks; welcomes the exchange of preferred maps, thus far unprecedented, and the first international conference held with the guarantor powers; supports the settlement based on a bi- communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, a single international legal personality, single sovereignty and single citizenship with political equality between the two communities and equal opportunities for all its citizens, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and on the basis of respect for the, the EU acquis, and the values and principles upon which the EUnion is founded; welcomes the intensified engagement by the parties to achieve the settlement of the Cyprus problem; expects Turkey to show active support for the negotiations, and reiterates that Turkey’s commitment and contribution to a comprehensive settlement remain crucial; praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), and; expects rapid implementation of the declared intention to grant access to the Committee on Missing Persons to all relevant sites, including military areas; calls on Turkey to allow full access to all relevant sitarchives and to assist the CMP by providing information from its military archivemilitary zones in the northern part of Cyprus for exhumation and to provide all relevant information that will lead to the discovery of relocated remains; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that a settlement of the Cyprus problem would have a positive impact on the entire region, while first and foremost benefiting both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; praises the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus for having achieved major progress in the settlement talks; welcomes the exchange of preferred maps, thus far unprecedented, and the first international conferenceConference on Cyprus held with the guarantor powers; supports the settlement based on a bi- communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, a single international legal personality, single sovereignty and single citizenship with political equality between the two communities, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and on the basis of respect for international law and the principles on which the Union is founded; welcomes the intensified engagement by the parties to achieve the settlement of the Cyprus problem; expects Turkey to show active support for the negotiations, and reiterates that Turkey’s commitment and contribution to a comprehensive settlement remain crucial; praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), and calls on Turkey to allow access to all relevant sites and to assist the CMP by providing information from its military archivemilitary zones for exhumation and to assist the CMP to the discovery of relocated and other remains by providing all relevant information from its military archives; welcomes, in this respect, the appointment of EP standing rapporteur on missing persons;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Stresses that Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good neighbourly relations, according to international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is part of the EU acquis, as well as to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice. In this context, the European Parliament expresses serious concern and urges Turkey to avoid any kind of threat or action directed against a Member State, or source of friction or actions that damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes;
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), and calls on Turkey to allow unconditional access to military zones and all relevant sites and to provide relevant information from its military and other archives, thus maximising the effectiveness of the excavations conducted by the CMP; welcomes, in this respect, the appointment of EP standing rapporteur on missing persons;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls on Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to transfer Varosha to its lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550(1984); as an effort to pave the way for a democratic comprehensive settlement;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls on Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to transfer Varosha to its lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550(1984);
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been signed and ratified by the EU, the 28 Member States and all other candidate countries and forms part of the acquis in line with December 2015 Council Conclusions and other relevant Council Conclusions; also condemns all the provoking actions of Turkey within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus which are a source of instability and calls on Turkey to terminate them; it recalls that Ankara must respect the sovereign rights of all EU Member States and to refrain from any action damaging good neighbourly relations while at the same time respecting the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Calls on Turkey to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-à-vis all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus, the fulfilment of which could provide a significant boost to the negotiation process; regrets that Turkey has still not made progress towards the normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus; reiterates that recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process and calls for progress without any further delay;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Deplores Turkey´s refusal 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;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Deplores Turkey's policy of illegal settlement and calls on Turkey to refrain from further settlement of Turkish citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus, which is contrary to the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law; urges Turkey to revoke relevant threats and terminate all actions aiming to alter the demographic balance on the island thus impeding a future solution;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Deplores Turkey's policy of illegal settlement and calls on Turkey to refrain from further settlement of Turkish citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus, which is contrary to the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law; urges Turkey to terminate all actions that alter the demographic balance on the island thus impeding a future solution;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19 c. Deplores Turkey's policy of settlement and calls on Turkey to refrain from further settlement of Turkish citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus, which is contrary to the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law; urges Turkey to terminate all actions that alter the demographic balance on the island thus impeding a future solution;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19 d. Reiterates that Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and to peaceful settlement of bilateral disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice; expresses serious concern over Turkey's renewed threats and provocations as well its decision to issue a NAVTEX purporting to reserve an area within the territorial sea, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus; urges Turkey to refrain from any further threat or action which might lead to friction and crisis and might have negative effects on the negotiations for ending the unacceptable status quo; calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been signed and ratified by the EU and its 28 Member States, without further delay; reiterates its call on Turkey to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States over their territorial sea and airspace and their lawful right to enter into bilateral agreements and to explore and exploit natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19 d. Underlines the Republic of Cyprus' lawful right to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone; reiterates its calls on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of all Member States, including those relating to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources when in line with the EU acquis and international law; calls on Turkey to refrain from any action damaging good neighbourly relations and a climate conducive to the peaceful settlement of bilateral disputes;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 e (new)
Paragraph 19 e (new)
19 e. 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 395 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 f (new)
Paragraph 19 f (new)
19 f. Is concerned about reports indicating the collaboration of Turkey with ISIL, including the purchase of oil products and urges Turkey to refrain from such practices;