Activities of Renate SOMMER related to 2012/2870(RSP)
Plenary speeches (3)
2012 progress report on Turkey (B7-0162/2013) (vote)
2012 progress report on Turkey (B7-0162/2013) (vote)
2012 progress report on Turkey (debate)
Amendments (14)
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11a (new)
Citation 11a (new)
- having regard to the fact that Turkey has the highest number of imprisoned journalists in the world, and this restriction on freedom of opinion and press freedom breaches a key basic principle of the Copenhagen criteria,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11b (new)
Citation 11b (new)
- having regard to the fact that around 3 000 students are currently classed as 'terrorists' by the Turkish courts,
Amendment 25 #
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 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 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Commends the Commission and Turkey forNotes the implementation of the positive agenda, which provindicates how, in a context of mutual engagement and clear objectives, Turkey and the EU couldwish to advance their dialogue, achieve common understanding and could produce positive change; belistresses, howevesr, that a renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship; stresses the importance of creating the conditions for a constructive dialogue and the foundations for a common understanding;
Amendment 96 #
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, 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; stresses once again the importance of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society and students 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 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7a (new)
Paragraph 7a (new)
7a. Criticises, in this connection, the arrests of students (including the French- Turkish citizen Sevil Sevimli) taking part in peaceful protests and using non-violent ideas to demonstrate in support of freedom of education and opinion;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are core European values and that a truly democratic society requires true freedom of expression, including the right of dissent; strongly criticises the high number of imprisoned journalists and on- going court cases against critical journalists, which undermine freedom of opinion and press freedom; underlines the importance of abolishing legislation providing for disproportionately high fines on the media, leading in some cases to their closure or to self-censorship, and the urgent need to reform the internet law;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the incentives package seeking to increase investment and economic development in the least developed regions of Turkey, including the South East and the continuation of the South East Anatolia project; notes, however, the decision by Turkey’s highest court to suspend the construction of the Ilisu dam; calls on the Turkish Government to accept the ruling and halt the work on the dam;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Deeply regretSeverely criticises Turkey’s decision to abstain from meetings and contacts with the Cypriotus 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, in so doing, Turkey undermined a major pillar of the institutional negotiating framework, which is based on the principles of sinceremeaningful cooperation and mutual solidarity amongst all itsthe Member States and respect for the institutional framework; find it deeply regrettable that Turkey missed an opportunity to start a process of closer engagement and normalisation of relations with Cyprus;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expresses once again its strong support to the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair 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 momentum; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and transfer Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); 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 all;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. EncouragesCalls on Turkey to intensify its support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and to afford the Committee access to the areas under military occupation and to Turkish Cypriot archives;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Deeply 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; recalls that this refusal continues to deeply affectblock the process of negotiations;
Amendment 400 #
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 be furthered;