Activites

• 1998/12/21 Final act published in Official Journal
• 1998/12/03 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T4-0716/1998 summary

    In adopting the report by Mr Hannes SWOBODA (PSE, A) on relations between the Union and Turkey, the European Parliament first reaffirmed that Turkey was eligible for accession to the European Union. It regretted the fact that Turkey had not so far agreed to participate in the European Conference and rejected any reference to religious beliefs or cultural traditions as a reason for rejecting Turkey's eligibility. It reviewed the obstacles to Turkey's possible accession, and noted that, from the strictly economic point of view, the country displayed a rare dynamism and should be able in the medium term to acquire a viable market economy able to withstand the pressure of competition. Clearly, it is in the political sphere that the most serious problems exist. Parliament recalled the promises made by Ankara to the European Parliament at the time when assent was given to the Customs Union and agreed with the Commission that no substantial progress had been achieved with regard to such crucial fields as the democratic deficit and protection of human and minority rights. It presented a list of shortcomings which currently existed in these fields, and proposed improvements which the Turkish Government should take into account: -an end to persecution, imprisonment and torture, which were particularly inflicted on the Kurdish population; -the release of Leyla Zana and of all political prisoners; -the repeal of 'antiterrorist' legislation and particularly 'Article 8', under which intellectuals, writers and politicians were kept in detention; -reform of the law on political parties and the electoral law; -a peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem, respecting the territorial integrity of Turkey. This should be achieved through dialogue, particularly with Kurdish representatives, the introduction of cultural rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the representation of all interests in the Grand National Assembly (particularly by lowering the 10% threshold for political representation); -increased democratic control over the administration and the military, particularly abolition of the latter's existing constitutional role in the political system; -the lifting of the State of Emergency in the East and South East provinces and inauguration of genuine social and economic development in these regions; -an end to Turkish attacks on Kurdish objectives. The occupation of Northern Cyprus was another major obstacle, as were the attempts to delay Cyprus's accession to the European Union. The Turkish Government was accordingly urged to contribute actively to a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem, on the basis of acceptance and application of United Nations resolutions, and to re-establish good-neighbourly relations with Greece. In Parliament's view, Turkey bore sole responsibility for improving the situation: the authorities in Ankara were therefore called upon to make practical proposals, accompanied by a binding timetable, for fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria for accession to the Union (especially the political criteria). Parliament called on the Commission and Council to draw up, with the Turkish authorities, a joint plan with a view to Turkey's accession to the Union. It called for an international conference to be held on the Kurdish problem with the aim of arriving at an acceptable and peaceful solution. It stressed that, where respect for democracy and human rights in Turkey was concerned, it would certainly be a step in the right direction if certain Kurdish organisations were to cease their terrorist activities. Parliament rejected political and economic interference by Turkey in decisions adopted by a Member State, and considered that any measure which the Turkish Government might take to obstruct bilateral trade with a Member State would be regarded as a violation of the association agreement and the Customs Union. Parliament urged Turkey to participate in the European Conference, and suggested the adoption of a pre-accession strategy based on appropriate funding.�

• 1998/12/02 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 1998/11/18 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0432/1998
• #2047
• 1997/11/24 Council Meeting
  • 2047
• #2041
• 1997/11/10 Council Meeting
  • 2041
• 1997/10/02 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 1997/07/15 Non-legislative basic document published
  • COM(1997)0394 summary

    OBJECTIVE: to outline future relations between the European Union and Turkey beyond the strict framework of customs union. CONTENT: in its communication, the Commission does not refer to the accession of Turkey to the European Union; it merely reiterates that it is eligible for accession and notes its priorities with regard to democratization and the re-establishment of relations with Greece. Reference is also made to settlement of the Cyprus question. The communication concentrates mainly on strengthening current relations beyond what is allowed under customs union. The Commission therefore proposes to consolidate customs union and strengthen cooperation in the field of services, telecommunications, agriculture, industry, investment, consumer protection and human rights. Customs union would be consolidated by harmonizing Turkish legislation with the Community acquis in relation to standards, declarations of conformity, quality assurance and competition and by launching negotiations on public procurement, commercial policy and customs. In the services sector, the Commission proposes to start negotiations with a view to deregulating the sector. Provision is also made for cooperation in industry and investment, mainly with a view to assisting the SME sector. In the field of telecommunications, the Commission proposes harmonizing the legislative framework with the Community model and also suggests that Turkey integrate into the information society by joining the trans-European telecommunications networks. Provision has been made to re-open macro-economic dialogue in order to help Turkey implement widespread structural reforms and make its economy more healthy. In the agricultural sector, Turkey still needs to adjust its policy in order to bring it into line with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Commission advocates greater deregulation of farm holdings with financial and technical support from the Union (transposition of acquis in the health and phytosanitary sector, COMs, rural policy). Provision has also been made for initiatives in the field of consumer protection by linking Turkey to the Community System for the Rapid Exchange of Information to allow early warning in the event of a threat to public health. The Commission also proposes to strengthen cooperation in the environmental, research and training sectors by allowing Turkey to participate in various Community programmes and to strengthen regional and cross-border cooperation (especially with the Black Sea countries). With regard to human rights, the Commission proposes two new forms of cooperation: greater cooperation between European and Turkish NGOs in order to improve human rights, freedom of expression and the development of the civil society and direct support for the Turkish government with a view to supporting its efforts to comply with international conventions on human rights and minorities. Finally, on the financial level, the Commission calls for the rapid adoption of the special financial regulation providing ECU 375 million between now and 1999 and the release of MEDA funds for Turkey.�

Documents

• Non-legislative basic document published: COM(1997)0394
• Debate in Council: 2041
• Debate in Council: 2047
• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A4-0432/1998
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0716/1998

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)