Activites

• 2000/04/14 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Regulation 2000/764
  • OJ L 094 14.04.2000, p. 0006
• #2254
• 2000/04/10 Council Meeting
• 2000/04/10 End of procedure in Parliament
• 2000/04/10 Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
• 2000/03/16 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(2000)0141 summary

    The Commission's amended proposal accepts 16 out of the 22 amendments adopted by the European Parliament, 8 of which were accepted in their entirety (in particular, the amendments which add to the Commission's recitals and consolidate and add detail to certain provisions). These amendments include: - taking the work of the Council (General Affairs) of 13.09.1999 into consideration (which dealt with the financial instruments for Turkey); - taking account of new provisions on the 1999 committee procedure ("comitology provisions"); - taking account of the Mediterranean allocations (including MEDA) as a financial reference for Turkey; - the role of the Commission to inform the other institutions about the indicative programme of projects to be financed in Turkey; - facilitating the take-up of grants by small, non-profit making NGOs. Parliament wishes to give small NGOs easier access (the amended text provides greater opportunity for the Commission to finance technical assistance operations to improve NGOs' management capabilities). On the other hand, the Commission has rejected the amendments relating to the conditions for Turkey's eligibility to the accession process. The Luxembourg Summit did not set conditions attached to eligibility. The criteria applied to all applicant countries are attached to accession itself, and the beginning of the negotiating process. In addition, the Commission did not accept the amendments relating to: - the provisions of the Regulation, which according to the Parliament, should be based on respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedoms, the rights of minorities, and respect for international law and international treaties which underpins the policies of the European Union and its Member States. The Commission is rejecting this amendment. It is adhering to its original proposal, which uses a standard clause, to avoid giving the impression that a particular partner is being discriminated against compared to other partners; - the eventual suspension of all cooperation under this Regulation, (EP initiative), in case of obstacles placed to the implementation of projects, operations and measures in the field of the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities. The Commission believes that there is no legal or institutional basis for any form of EP initiative to propose to the Council that cooperation under this Regulation be suspended. In addition, it is only logical that the provisions be the same as those for the MEDA programme, in order to avoid having more than one procedure for one single country; - the support for programmes to repair damage caused by the recent earthquakes. The areas affected by the earthquakes are obviously eligible for EU aid in the same way as any other region. However, post-earthquake reconstruction does not fall within the scope of this Regulation; - the submission of an annual report on progress with regard to respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and international law. TheCommission points out that it publishes an annual "regular report" on all the applicant countries, including Turkey. The report includes a section on developments in the human rights situation; - the submission of evaluation reports to the European Parliament specifically highlighting whether the objectives of the operations have been achieved and to provide guidelines for improving the effectiveness of future operations. It should be noted that the Commission added a reference to the Helsinki European Council in December 1999 on the eligibility of Turkey to the accession process.�

  • DG [{'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/', 'title': 'Enlargement'}],
• 1999/12/02 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0132/1999 summary

    In adopting the report drafted by Mr. Philippe MORILLON (EPP/ED, F) on the implementation of measures to intensify the EU-Turkey customs union, the European Parliament refused the demand of Mr. Pedro MARSET CAMPOS (GUE/NGL, E) in the name of his group, to refer this report back to Committee, following the confirmation of the condemnation to death of Mr. Abdullah Oçalan in Turkey (for Ms. Pernille FRAHM (DK) of the same political group, the adoption of this report must depend on the prior abolition of the death penalty in this country). For the rapporteur, on the other hand, the Union should draw lessons from the success of the customs union with Turkey, which for the Union is represented by a doubling of its commercial balance with Turkey since the customs union. With regard to the fate of Mr. Oçalan, Mr. MORILLON considers that the 'de facto' moratorium applied by Turkey with regard to capital punishment which has prevailed for 15 years, will become a 'de iure' moratorium following the adoption of this regulation and the consecutive unblocking in the Council (taking, in this case, a decision by unanimity) of EU financial aid to Turkey of 15 million euros over 3 years (2000-2002 and no longer 199-2001 because this proposal has been blocked for several years because of the Greek veto). Furthermore, the prospect of the forthcoming Helsinki Summit (December 1999) which should decide whether Turkey will become a candidate country, makes the adoption of this report all the more important. Mr. MORILLON asked what the reaction of the Members if in our countries there was interference between the judicial powers and political powers.... Concerning the details of the procedure, the Parliament made a number of amendments to the Commission's proposal paying particular attention to the importance of respect of human rights, the promotion of democratic practices and the involvement of civil society in this process. The European Parliament also asks that before implementing actions provided for under this Regulation, the Commission should draw up a list of priorities and refer its indicative programme to the committee and the various bodies set up by the EU-Turkey Association Agreement (notably the joint parliamentary committee and the EU-Turkey joint economic and social committee). In particular, it calls for, where obstacles are placed to the implementation of projects, operations or measures (especially in the fields of cooperation seeking to defend and promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities), the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission or the European Parliament, may decide to suspend all cooperation under this Regulation. It calls for the budgetary authority to set the annual funding in relation to the appropriations available for each financial year, taking into account the principles of sound management. In parallel, it stresses that projects be carried out in order to repair damage caused by the recent earthquakes and conservation and protection of the environment on the basis of the principles of sustainable development. The Parliament, furthermore, introduces important amendments with respect to comitology and calls for special provision tobe made by the Commission for a reduction in the obstacles to small, non-profit-making NGOs taking up grants. Lastly, the Parliament asks to be kept informed of the results of discussions within the committee responsible for programming assistance and that once a year a report on the progress with regard to respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and international law. Further regular information is called for by the Parliament which also calls for the annual report on the funded actions be submitted to it during the first quarter of the year to enable it to take note of it and evaluate it in good time before it considers and adopts the Union's annual budget.�

• 1999/12/01 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 1999/11/24 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0070/1999
• 1998/12/14 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• #2129
• 1998/11/09 Council Meeting
  • 2129
• 1998/10/21 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(1998)0600 summary

    OBJECTIVE: to implement measures to intensify the EC-Turkey Customs Union as part of the strategy to further develop and strengthen relations between the European Union and Turkey. CONTENT: With a financial framework of EUR 15 million over 3 years (1999-2001), this specific aid will help Turkey in its efforts to prepare for accession by strengthening its relations with the European Union in all areas linked to the intensification of Customs Union. In particular, the aid will target: - support for aligning Turkish legislation with the Community acquis and the institutional development of this adjustment; - access to the internal market (in particular, introduction of the instruments needed in the field of quality and certification); - deregulation of the movement of capital; - the integration of Turkey in the pan-European system of rules of origin (participation of Turkey in conventions on transit etc.); - the adaptation of Turkish agricultural policy to the requirements of the CAP; - cooperation in the veterinary and plant health sectors; - the participation of Turkey in certain programmes or Community agencies (environment, research, education,...), - cooperation in the field of competition, consumers, new technologies etc.; - cooperation in the field of justice and internal affairs; - cooperation with a view to defending and promoting democracy, respect for the law, human rights and the protection of minorities. The aid is subject to compliance with the Community democracy clause. This means that if a fundamental factor for continuing aid is missing, the Council may decide by a qualified majority to take appropriate steps. Funds will take the form of non-refundable aid under technical assistance, training or other service or works programmes. As well as the Turkish state, associations, cooperatives or any other non-governmental organisation and members of Turkish civil society will be eligible for the programmes and actions. Turkish partners will be asked to make whatever contribution in cash (or in kind) they can afford. It is also hoped that other fund holders will help with joint financing. The Commission will be responsible for managing this aid. It will be assisted by the MEDA Committee already set up under Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 (MEDA Regulation). The Commission will take account of a number of criteria (mainly the efficiency and viability of the programme or equal opportunities for men and women) when choosing which projects to finance. Measures should be taken with a view to highlighting the Community aspect of the aid. The Commission will also be required to monitor the aid and draft annual reports on the programmes funded. Provision is also made for final assessment of the aid 3 years after the entry into force of the regulation, accompanied by proposals for its possible continuation.�

  • DG [{'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/', 'title': 'Enlargement'}],

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(1998)0600
• Debate in Council: 2129
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A5-0070/1999
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0132/1999
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(2000)0141
• : Regulation 2000/764
• : OJ L 094 14.04.2000, p. 0006

History

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