Activites

• 2001/02/09 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Regulation 2001/257
  • OJ L 039 09.02.2001, p. 0001
• 2001/01/22 Final act signed
• 2001/01/22 End of procedure in Parliament
• #2326
• 2000/12/28 Council Meeting
• 2000/09/06 Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading
  • T5-0357/2000 summary

    In adopting the report drafted by Mr Philippe MORILLON (EPP/ED, F), the European Parliament has adopted the Council common position with a view to the adoption of a European Parliament and Council regulation regarding the implementation of measures to promote economic and social development in Turkey. However, this text was subject to amendments which aim to: - exclude the development of nuclear power, especially in earthquake zones and; - respect minorities and protect the recognition of their cultural identity and support measures seeking to abolish capital punishment. The final amendment mentions the Kurdish problem and emphasises that initiatives should be launched by cooperation in an effort to resolve this problem.�

• 2000/09/05 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2000/07/10 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
  • A5-0206/2000
• 2000/07/06 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• #2271
• 2000/06/13 Council Meeting
  • 07492/1/2000 summary

    The Council has adopted, without modifications, the amended proposal by the Commission. Of the 40 proposals put forward by the European Parliament, the Council has thus accepted 21 fully, 10 partly, and 9 have been rejected. The reasons for this position have been developed in the explanatory memorandum of the Commission's amended proposal. Recitals and Articles related to the financial reference amount and comitology have been reformulated in accordance with the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, and the Council Decision of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.�

• 2000/04/05 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(2000)0169 summary

    The modified proposal of the Commission for a Regulation regarding the implementation of measures to promote economic and social development in Turkey, accepted 31 of the 40 amendments put forward by the EP, either fully or partially. The 21 amendments accepted and incorporated as they stood add to the Commission's recitals and consolidate and add detail to certain provisions. These fully accepted amendments mainly relate to the specific wording of different articles in the proposed regulation. 10 amendments were accepted in part. They relate to comitology, the allocation of funds to Turkey, funding allocated only in part from the MEDA programme, the economic (rather than the political) development of Turkey, the net beneficiaries of co-operation and operations (public bodies and departments), referral (replace with 'pass on') of the Commission's indicative programme to the MED Committee, the facilitation of NGOs, new comitology provisions and finally, consultation of the EP in good time before it adopts the Budget of the EU. The 9 amendments rejected are the following: -that projects and programmes financed must further Turkey's social and political development. The Commission rejects the word 'political' on the grounds of Article 177 of the Treaty and the title of the Regulation and its fourth recital. -that Turkey is eligible for accession to the EU on the basis of the same criteria as all applicant states. The Commission rejects this on the grounds that there are no conditions attached to eligibility. The criteria applied to all applicant countries are attached to accession itself, and the beginning of the negotiating process. -the possible suspension of co-operation on account of obstacles to the implementation of certain measures, human rights and the protection of minorities for exapmle. The Commission rejects this amendment for two reasons. First, there is no legal or institutional basis for any form of EP initiative to propose to the Council that cooperation be suspended. Second, 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 a single country. -that aid to Turkey supports programmes to repair damage caused by the recent earthquakes. The Commission rejects this amendment on the grounds that post-earthquake reconstrucion does not fall within the scope of the proposed regulation for Turkey. -support for measures seeking to promote human rights, protection of minority and cultural identity, among others. The Commission rejects this on the grounds that it seeks to avoid sensitive issues. -support for the resolution of the Kurdish problem. The Commission rejects this on the grounds that the original wording allows funding for operations including those targeted at the Kurds and the Kurds' relations with other Turkish citizens. -that the Commission shall submit an annual report on progress with regard to respect for democratic principles, and human rights, among others. The Commission rejects this on the grounds that it already publishes an annual 'regular report'on all the applicant countries, including Turkey. -that the Commission shall regularly evaluate operations financed by the EU in order to establish whether the objectives have been achieved and to provide guidelines for improving the effectiveness of future operations. The Commission rejects this on the grounds that amendment 36 already provides for all programming and evaluation documents to be submitted to the EP and the Council. -that infrastructure capacity be improved in a number of areas, the environment and energy for example, but excluding the development of nuclear power. The Commission rejects this amendment as seeking to exclude nuclear power from the areas of activity funded by the EU, needlessly draws attention to the Akuya affair and furthermore, the Commission has no intention of setting up a nuclear power project in Turkey.�

  • DG [{'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/', 'title': 'Enlargement'}],
• 1999/12/02 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0130/1999 summary

    The Parliament adopted the report of Mr. Philippe MORILLON (EPP, F) on the Commission's proposal regarding measures to promote economic and social development in Turkey. The Parliament adopted a number of amendments, the most important of which are: - a reference in the recital to the 1997 Luxembourg Council's confirmation that Turkey was eligible to accede to the EU; - a reference to the Council's decision on 13/09/1999 allocating funds to Turkey; - a reference to the need for Turkey to ensure the sound management of public affairs and the closer involvement of civil society in that process; - reference to a number of resolutions adopted by the Parliament concerning the importance of respect for human rights in Turkey; - the amount included in this Regulation for the 2000-2002 period shall be regarded as the prime reference for the budgetary authority within the meaning of the Inter-institutional Agreement of 06.05.1999. This reference shall be part of the multiannual financial framework of the MEDA Programme. The financial framework wiull EUR 135 million for the 2000-2002 period. - the beneficiaries will also include the customs adminsitration; - a reference whereby if obstacles are placed to the implementation of projects, operations and measures, and particularly to 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; - funding under this programme would also cover damage caused by the recent earthquakes, cooperation in the field of education and training and the protection, recognition of minorities' cultural identity and support for measuress seeking to abolish capital punishment, any form of cooperation seeking to resolve the Kurdish problem, measures to promote the social dialogue within Turkey and between Turkey and the EU, and the promotion of cooperation between public administrations with a view to the approximation of legislation and the training of staff, including customs officers; - funding would not cover the development of nuclear power, especially in earthquake zones; - special provision shall be made by the Commission to reduce the obstacles to small non-profit-making NGOs taking up grants; - on the basis of Decision 1999/468/EC, the Commission shall be assisted by a management committee composed of representative of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission (in contrast to the MED Committee, in the Commission's original proposal); - the Commission shall submit an annual report on progress with regard to respect to democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms and international law; - the specific contents to be covered in the report submittedby the Commission to the EP and the Council. The request of Mr. Pedro MARSET CAMPOS (GUE/NGL, Spain) for the report to be sent back to Committee was refused.�

• 1999/12/01 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 1999/11/24 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0071/1999
• 1999/03/24 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0161/1999
• 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 promote economic and social development in Turkey in the context of closer and stronger relations between Turkey and the EU. CONTENT: with a budget of ECU 135 million for a 3-year period (1999-2001), this aid will provide support to Turkey's efforts in the areas of economic and social development. More precisely, this aid will be used in the following areas: - modernising manufacturing, improving institutional and infrastructure capacity in Turkey (environment, transport, energy); - promotion of industrial cooperation (diversification in industry and the creation of SMEs); - cooperation in telecommunications, infrastructure, rural development and social services; - boosting the capacity of the Turkish economy (restructuring of the country's public sector and private initiative); - cooperation in protecting health; - regional and cross-border cooperation; - any form of cooperation seeking to defend and promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities; - cooperation on humanitarian issues; - all forms of assistance aimed at promoting the development of relations between the European Union and Turkey. Where appropriate, measures could be taken to underpin a structural adjustment programme, taking into account Turkey's particular economic and social circumstances, possible negative impact in social and employment terms and Turkey's levels of indebtedness and unemployment. Assistance is subject to compliance with the Community democracy clause. Thus, where an essential element for the continuation of assistance to Turkey is lacking, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may decide upon appropriate measures. Assistance will be in the form of non-refundable grants for technical assistance, training or other services, supplies and works. The beneficiaries of projects and operations may include not only the Turkish state but also associations, cooperatives etc. or any non-governmental organisation or member of the civil society. A financial contribution (or contribution in kind) from the Turkish partners will be sought within their means. Opportunities for co-financing with other providers of funds may also be sought. Management of this assistance will be undertaken by the Commission, in coordination with the Member States. It will be assisted by the MED committee set up by Regulation 1488/96/EC (MEDA regulation). The projects financed will be selected by the Commission on the basis of a number of criteria, the most important of which are the effectiveness and viability of operations and equal opportunities for men and women. The necessary measures will be taken to emphasise the Community character of the aid provided. The Commission will also be responsible for the regular evaluation of the assistance and the publication of annual reports on the actions financed. An final evaluation of the assistance will be required 3 years after the entry into force of the regulation, together with suggestions regarding the future of the aid.�

  • 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: A4-0161/1999
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A5-0071/1999
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0130/1999
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(2000)0169
• Council position published: 07492/1/2000
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A5-0206/2000
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T5-0357/2000
• : Regulation 2001/257
• : OJ L 039 09.02.2001, p. 0001

History

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