2013/2945(RSP) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)

– having regard to the progress report for 2013 which Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and accession negotiator drew up himself in response to that of the Commission; whereas this progress report is far from objective, makes no mention of issues which the Turkish authorities find embarrassing and is tantamount to a candidate marking his own examination paper;

Amendment 10 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey were opened on 3 October 2005 and that the opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long- lasting and open-ended process based on compliance with fair and rigorous condition~~ality~~s and the commitment to reform,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. expresses concern over the deepening cultural division in Turkey on so called 'life-style issues", which runs the risk that the authorities start to intrude in the private lives of the citizens, as exemplified by recent statements on: the number of children women should have, on mixed sex student residences and on the selling of alcohol;

Amendment 101 #

Ismail ERTUG, Salvador SEDÓ i ALABART, Jo LEINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Is concerned about the undermining of the separation of powers in the aftermath of the discovered alleged corruption cases and condemns the dismissal of police officers investigating the corruption cases; calls on the government to respect the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and to actively support the investigations on corruption cases; is strongly concerned about the on-going defamation campaign against the Turkish Judiciary;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Raises concerns about the erosion of the principle of separation of powers; is deeply concerned about the way the government responded to the on-going corruption operation by the Istanbul prosecutor against several ministers and businessmen; condemns the dismissal of police chiefs responsible for the corruption-related operation by the Minister of Interior who had been subject to the allegations; notes the worrying dismissal of all police chiefs responsible for anti-corruption and organized crime in major cities;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Is worried about the allegations of systematic profiling of the government of civil servants, journalists, academics, civil society organizations based on their religious, ethnic and political affiliation; condemns the heavy pressure of the government on the courts and public condemnation of the prosecutor and police chiefs by the Prime Minister; calls every individual and institution to fully respect the rule of law and guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judiciary;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the ~~urgent~~ need for further progress in implementing the 2010 constitutional amendments, in particular the adoption of laws on the protection of personal data and military justice~~, and of laws introducing affirmative-action measures to promote gender equality~~;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the urgent need for further progress in implementing the 2010 constitutional amendments~~, in particular the adoption of laws on the protection of personal data and military justice, and of laws introducing affirmative-action measures to promote gender equality~~;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses the urgent need for further progress in implementing the 2010 constitutional amendments, in particular the adoption of laws on the protection of personal data and military justice, and of laws introducing affirmative-action measures to promote gender equality; underlines the importance of strictly implementing these legislative changes once they are adopted;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points out that the EU could call upon and urge the Turkish authorities to carry out many reforms, but that Turkey simply does not want to do so, nor can it or will it; urges that the accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey be definitively terminated;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Commends the Conciliation Committee for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments ~~and calls on its Members to continue their~~, but regrets the interruption of its work on a new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission; points out that these rules are a constitutional matter and that any reform of them should be adopted in a calm atmosphere and with the broadest possible consensus;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Commends the Conciliation Committee for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and ~~call~~expresses con ~~its Members to continue their~~cern at the current lack of progress; strongly believes that work on a new Constitution for Turkey should be continued as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;

Amendment 11 #

Andrew DUFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

– having regard to the fact that Turkey has committed itself to the fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria, adequate and effective reforms, good neighbourly relations and progressive alignment with the EU; having regard to the fact that ~~these efforts should be viewed as an opportunity for Turkey to continue its process of modernisation~~Turkey is by no means honouring this commitment,

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Commends~~Notes that the Conciliation Committee ~~for~~has only been able to reach~~ing~~ consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to ~~continu~~redouble their work ~~on a~~in order to elaborate a genuinely new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, cshould try to benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;

Amendment 111 #

Ismail ERTUG, Salvador SEDÓ i ALABART

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Commends~~Regrets the dissolution of the Conciliation Committee ~~for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments~~after the third absence of the Government's party without excuse and calls on ~~its Member~~all parties to continue their work on a new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;

Amendment 112 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Commends the Conciliation Committee for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to continue their work on a new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; underlines that the constitutional changes should be carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner, with full involvement of civil society at all stages; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Commends the Conciliation Committee for reaching consensus on 60 constitutional amendments and calls on its Members to swiftly continue their work on a new Constitution for Turkey as this is essential for the reform process in Turkey; stresses the importance of achieving consensus in the framework of the constitutional reform process on an effective system of separation of powers and an inclusive definition of citizenship, in order to achieve a fully democratic Constitution that guarantees equal rights for all people of Turkey; underlines that Turkey, as a Member State of the Council of Europe, could benefit from active dialogue with the Venice Commission on the constitutional reform process; stresses that the rules governing the election and composition of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors should be fully in line with the criteria of the Venice Commission;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Is concerned by the Government’s reaction to the corruption scandals in December 2013, and stresses that the authorities must ensure the independence of the judiciary in all circumstances, in line with European standards; stresses the need to establish a judicial police force working under the authority of a judge;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that more progress is needed in the areas of labour and trade union rights; calls on Turkey to start working on new legislation in this area to ensure that it is in line with the EU acquis and ILO conventions, especially the right to strike and the right to bargain collectively;

Amendment 116 #

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Is concerned that no progress had been made regarding anti-discrimination legislation and that the current anti- discrimination laws are insufficient and not in line with the EU acquis; stresses the urgent need for comprehensive anti- discrimination legislation and the establishment of an anti-discrimination and equality board to protect individuals against discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or sexual identity;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Welcomes~~Points out that the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish societyis a huge farce, in view inter alia of recent developments; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities, such as Christian and Jews, and LGBTI;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes and urges the implementation of the democratiszation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organiszations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI people; calls on the government to present a reform package with no delay where some of the vital issues, such as Alevi question, that are not included by the democratization package of 30 September, will be addressed;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes and urges for the implementation of the democratiszation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organiszations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI; calls on the government to present a reform package with no delay where some of the vital issues, such as Alevi question, that are not included by the democratization package of 30 September, will be addressed;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

– having regard to the fact that Turkey has committed itself to the fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria, adequate and effective reforms, good neighbourly relations and progressive alignment with the EU; having regard to the fact that these efforts should be viewed as an opportunity for Turkey to continue its necessary process of modernisation,

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes and calls for the implementation of the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and ~~relevant~~ civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society in order to strengthen democracy and better reflect the existing pluralism in the country; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including all communities, minorities and LGBTI;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to ~~duly consult~~rapidly implement the measures announced, in consultation with the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Welcomes~~Calls for the immediate implementation of the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI;

Amendment 123 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens~~, including minorities and LGBTI~~;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 125 #

Ismail ERTUG, Jo LEINEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 126 #

Elena BĂSESCU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

Amendment 127 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Welcomes~~Urges the full implementation of the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI;

Amendment 128 #

Krzysztof LISEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the democratisation package presented by the Government on 30 September 2013 and calls on the Government to duly consult the opposition and relevant civil society organisations in the preparation of the implementing legislation and to continue with its reform efforts towards revision of the electoral system, including the lowering of the 10% electoral threshold, and the adequate inclusion of all components of Turkish society; calls on the Government to ensure that the legislation on hate crimes offers protection for all citizens, including minorities and LGBTI;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the Government to present a new reform package to address pending and key issues, such as the Alevi question, that were not included in the democratization package of 30 September 2013;

Amendment 13 #

Hélène FLAUTRE, Ska KELLER, Salvador SEDÓ i ALABART

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11

~~– having regard to the fact that the EU should remain the benchmark for reforms in Turkey,~~deleted

Amendment 130 #

Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Notes that efforts have been made to intensify dialogue with non-Muslim religious communities, nevertheless discrimination and on-going disputes over property rights remain unresolved in practice; calls upon Turkey to put in place with no delay a ECHR compatible legal framework on matter of belief and conscientious objection;

Amendment 131 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the establishment of new institutions, namely the Ombudsman Institution and the Turkish National Human Rights Institution which have become operational in 2013, thus creating additional mechanisms for individuals to apply for the protection of their fundamental rights and freedoms;

Amendment 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; ~~deeply~~ regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far-reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assemblyfact that since Gezi work on other major projects has continued without consultation and despite the opposition of a large section of the population concerned, including the construction of a road on the campus of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara and the third bridge over the Bosphorus;

Amendment 133 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. TDeeply regrets the loss of life amongst the Gezi Park protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; ~~deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters;~~ welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; encourages the Ministry of the Interior and the Turkish police to establish methods to deal with public protests in a less confrontational way, and in particular, not to arrest or hinder the work of lawyers and medical staff who are carrying out their duties;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park and elsewhere in the country testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and e~~xpects them to fully address the concerns without dela~~lsewhere in the country; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events and those elsewhere in the country underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of expression, of the press and of assembly;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the ~~violent acts by a number of protesters~~state violence of the Turkish Government; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; calls on the Turkish Government to re-examine its social, political, cultural and economic policies which were the main cause that led to the popular uprising in the Gezi park;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is highly concerned about the adoption of a new regulation that would allow the police to detain potential protesters from 12 to 24 hours without the demand of a prosecutor or a judge; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly;

Amendment 137 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior as well as the judicial investigations and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; underlines that the police officers responsible for serious injuries on protestors by use of disproportionate and excessive force have, to the most extent, not been brought to justice; stresses that strong political commitment is needed in bringing those responsible for severe injuries to justice and fighting the culture of impunity since according to Law No. 4483 the permission of Governors is a precondition to initiate investigations against police officers; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly;

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; regrets the apparent failure of the courts to penalise those state officials responsible for violence connected with the Gezi Park protests;

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital and immediate reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly;

Amendment 14 #

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Ismail ERTUG, Tanja FAJON, Jo LEINEN, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

– having regard to the fact that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria ~~and EU integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting,~~ remains the basis for accession to the EU,

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 141 #

Nikolaos CHOUNTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that the protests in Gezi Park testify both to the existence in Turkey of a vibrant civil society and also the need for further vital reforms on the promotion of fundamental values; highlights the importance of including civil society more structurally in the decision making process; deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the on-going administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints related to the events in Gezi Park and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; is of the opinion that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for freedom of assembly; expects the Turkish Government to respect public places and green areas and to refrain from sacrificing residents' quality of life to one-sided growth;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls on the Turkish authorities to swiftly conclude the judicial processes initiated against those responsible for the losses of life during the Gezi Park events and stays committed to monitoring the developments in these cases;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Deeply regrets the loss of life amongst the protesters and the police forces, the excessive use of force by the police and the violent acts by a number of protesters; welcomes the administrative investigations launched by the Ministry of the Interior and the inquiries by the Ombudsman into complaints relating to the events in Gezi Park, and expects them to fully address the concerns without delay; welcomes the Ombudsman’s proposed changes to the way in which force is used by the police; calls on Turkey to adopt adequate internal review procedures and to establish an independent supervisory body for police offences; deplores the fact that the judicial response to the death of protestors has been unsatisfactory, either because the police officers implicated were not prosecuted (in the case of the death of Abdullah Cömert), or because the trial has been marked by irregularities (in the case of the death of Ethem Sarısülük); is concerned by the action taken against health professionals, lawyers, academics, students and professional associations in connection with their non-violent actions during the Gezi events; welcomes the reform of the right to demonstrate proposed in the ‘democratisation package’; believes, however, that the Gezi Park events underline the need for far- reaching reforms in order to ensure respect for the freedom of assembly;

Amendment 144 #

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Jo LEINEN, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Reiterates the importance of active and independent civil society organisations (CSO's) for democracy; underlines the importance of dialogue with them and stresses their crucial role in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation on social and political aspects; is therefore worried that CSO's continue to face fines, closure proceedings, and administrative obstacles to their operations and that consultation of CSO's remains to be an exception rather than the rule; welcomes the Turkish governments improved cooperation with NGOs, but calls for their broader consultation in policy-making, including the formulation of policies and legislation and in the monitoring of activities of the authorities;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Observes that the unprecedented wave of protests also reflects the legitimate aspirations of many Turkish citizens for a deepen democracy; reiterates that, in a democratic polity, Governments must promote tolerance and ensure freedom of religion and belief for all citizens; calls on the Government to respect the plurality and richness of Turkish society;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; ~~reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying~~expresses concern at the widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; criticizes the fact that presently, an estimate of 15 000 websites are blocked in Turkey, the Government refuses to repeal regressive legislation such as Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Act and many human rights activists are jailed under Article 301 of the Penal Code, thus making it a crime to "denigrate Turkishness"; reiterates its concern on the practice of bringing criminal prosecutions against human rights defenders, activists and journalists who communicate evidence of human rights violations or raise other issues of public interest; considers the criminalisation of opinion as a key obstacle to the full protection of human rights in Turkey; criticizes moreover, the authoritative way by which security services monitored social media accounts in order to arrest thousands of citizens; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists and military officers currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 148 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’'s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self- censorship by media owners and journalists; is concerned about the dismissal of journalists from positions in the media due to criticism of the government; is deeply concerned about the procedures used to punish the owners of the critical media; raises concerns about the implications of accreditation by state institutions mainly targeting the opposition media, expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’'s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; underlines that the freedom of expression extends to digital and social media; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; ~~expresses concern at~~condemns the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

– having regard to the fact that full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria ~~and EU integration capacity~~, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting, remains the basis for accession to the EU,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events, particularly in the cases of Can Dündar of Milliyet and Yavuz Baydar of Sabah; expresses concern at the dismissal of journalists who have criticised the Government in other circumstances, particularly in the cases of Hasan Cemal of Milliyet and Nazlı Ilıcak of Sabah; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events ~~by Turkish media~~and of those elsewhere in the country by Turkish media, partly due to censorship, particularly self-censorship, and the dismissal and/or arrest of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; stresses that this demonstrates the repressive character of Erdoğan’s regime; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self- censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; ~~expresses concern at~~sharply criticizes the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention which undermines freedom of expression and media and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’'s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists with intense pressure over those journalists who express criticism to the government; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’'s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 154 #

Tonino PICULA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and strongly condemns the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’'s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’'s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expresses concerns at the very limited coverage of the Gezi Park events by Turkish media and the dismissal of journalists who criticised the Government’s reactions to such events; recalls that freedom of expression and media pluralism are at the heart of European values and that an independent press is crucial to a democratic society; reiterates once again its concern at the fact that most media are owned by and concentrated in, large conglomerates with a wide range of business interests and points out to the worrying widespread phenomenon of self-censorship by media owners and journalists; expresses concern at the dismissal of journalists expressing anti-government views and at the penalties imposed on the owners of critical media ; expresses concern at the particularly high number of journalists currently in pre-trial detention and calls on Turkey’s judicial authorities to review and address these cases as soon as possible;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9α. Expresses its deep concern at developments in Turkey since 17 December; strongly underlines the need to ensure the independence and impartiality of investigations and corruption probes by the judiciary;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Insists that any trials against journalists should be carried out in a transparent manner, respecting the rule of law and ensuring appropriate conditions, such as providing venues that are suited to the type of hearings being held, distributing accurate transcripts to detained persons and providing information to the journalists regarding the charges brought against them;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that public commemorations of the Armenian genocide have taken place on 24th April 2013 for the 4th consecutive year in several locations throughout Turkey, including Taksim square, Istanbul, without any interference by the authorities; welcomes this development, as well as the expanding societal and media debate in Turkey on the legacy of 1915; encourages the authorities to continue their supportive approach to these commemorations;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Highlights the special role of public- service media in strengthening democracy, in particular by serving information needs of citizens and enabling their participation in decision making processes. In this respect, calls on the authorities to ensure their independence and sustainability in compliance with European standards;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that the number of journalists detained in Turkey is the highest in the world and that this restriction of freedom of opinion and the media is a violation of a major principle of the Copenhagen Criteria,

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Observes that the unprecedented wave of protests also reflects the legitimate concerns of many Turkish citizens that the Government is aspiring to impose a single set of ethical values and religious beliefs upon Turkish society as a whole; reiterates that, in a democratic polity, governments must promote tolerance and ensure freedom of religion and belief for all citizens; calls on the Government to respect the plurality and richness of Turkish society;

Amendment 161 #

Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Barbara MATERA, Hélène FLAUTRE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Is concerned about the situation of journalists and the freedom of media in Turkey; highlights the special role of public-service media in strengthening democracy, in particular by serving information needs of citizens and enabling their participation in decision making processes; in this respect, calls on the authorities to ensure their independence and sustainability in compliance with European standards;

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that the Parliament's Ad Hoc Delegation for the Observation of Trials of Journalists in Turkey, established in 2011 and referred to in its Resolution on the 2011 Progress Report on Turkey and in its Resolution on the 2012 Progress Report on Turkey, has presented the Interim Activity Report in 2013, based on factual observations, and will deliver the Final Activity Report in the first semester of 2014;

Amendment 163 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Highlights the important role of public-service media in strengthening democracy, in particular by serving information needs of citizens and enabling their participation in decision making processes; calls on the authorities to ensure public-service media's independence and sustainability in compliance with European standards;

Amendment 164 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Expresses deep concern both for Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan weathered international criticism for last summer's violent crackdown against peaceful protesters, but also for the recent revelations of corruption by senior members of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) that have sparked more street protests; underlines that the revolt against the Turkish Prime Minister and AKP clearly shows the deep divide between secular modernity and Islamic tradition in Turkey; is concerned that Erdogan Government has been accused of inhibiting the effective investigation of the corruption case and calls therefore the Government of Turkey, to ensure no further escape from a massive graft investigation in addition to proceeding into extensive restructuring of the judicial system;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope, allegations of evidence fabrication and the shortcomings of thdue proce~~eding~~ss in the Ergenekon ~~case, which, like in~~and Sledgehammer cases; recalls that the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention finds theat Sledgehammer ~~case, undermined the acceptance of the ruling~~defendants are being held in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; stresses, once again, in light of the above, that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’'s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope and the shortcomings of the proceedings and the allegations of the use of inconsistent evidence against the defendants in the Ergenekon case, which, like in the Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the ruling; stresses, once again, in light of the above, that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights;

Amendment 167 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope and the shortcomings of the proceedings in the Ergenekon case, which, like in the Sledgehammer case and the conviction of Füsun Erdoğan, undermined the acceptance of the ruling; expresses concern at the judicial harassment to which Pınar Selek has been subjected for 16 years; stresses, once again, in light of the above, that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes the concerns in Turkish society about the excessively wide scope and the shortcomings of the proceedings in the Ergenekon case, which, like in the Sledgehammer case, undermined the acceptance of the ruling; stresses, once again, in light of the above, that the KCK case must demonstrate the strength and the proper, independent, impartial and transparent functioning of Turkey’s democratic institutions and judiciary, as well as the firm, unconditional commitment to respect for fundamental rights; calls on the EU delegation in Ankara to closely monitor further developments in these cases, including possible appeal processes and detention conditions and to report back to the Commission and the European Parliament;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Is deeply concerned, in connection with the recent corruption scandal involving members of the Turkish Government, at way in which the judiciary and police have been hampered by the confiscation of documents relevant to the case and the dismissal or transfer of justice officials and police officers; calls on the Turkish Government not to interfere in the judicial process and to take all necessary steps to ensure that the accusations of law-breaking can be investigated in a transparent and impartial manner;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
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 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and Chapter 24 (justice, freedom and security), which should be tackled early in the negotiations to allow clear benchmarks and sufficient time to introduce the necessary changes in legislation, reforms of institutions and thus solid track records of implementation,deleted

Amendment 170 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Welcomes the establishment of individual application to the Turkish Constitutional Court which enables Turkish citizens to use their right of individual application first in the Constitutional Court before they applied to the ECHR;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. NStresses that the reform of the Turkish judiciary system is central to the efforts at democratic consolidation in Turkey; underlines that the Turkish judicial system continues to suffer from excessive workload and insufficient independence; notes that the implementation of the third judicial reform package has led to the release of a significant number of detainees and welcomes the fourth judicial reform package as another important step towards a judiciary in Turkey in line with EU standards and values; notes, in particular, (i) the new, important distinction between freedom of expression and incitement to violence or to committing acts of terrorism, (ii) the limitation of the offence of praising a crime or a criminal to instances where there is a clear and imminent danger to public order and (iii) the narrowing down of the scope of the offence of committing a crime in the name of an organisation, without being a member of it, to armed organisations only;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes that the implementation of the third judicial reform package has led to the release of a significant number of detainees and welcomes the fourth judicial reform package as another important step towards a judiciary in Turkey in line with EU standards and values; welcomes the work of Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin on the ambitious reforms which he has introduced; notes, in particular, (i) the new, important distinction between freedom of expression and incitement to violence or to committing acts of terrorism, (ii) the limitation of the offence of praising a crime or a criminal to instances where there is a clear and imminent danger to public order and (iii) the narrowing down of the scope of the offence of committing a crime in the name of an organisation, without being a member of it, to armed organisations only;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes that the implementation of the third judicial reform package has led to the release of a significant number of detainees and welcomes the fourth judicial reform package as another important step towards a judiciary in Turkey in line with EU standards and values; notes, in particular, (i) the new, important distinction between freedom of expression, of the press and of assembly and incitement to violence or to committing acts of terrorism, (ii) the limitation of the offence of praising a crime or a criminal to instances where there is a clear and imminent danger to public order and (iii) the narrowing down of the scope of the offence of committing a crime in the name of an organisation, without being a member of it, to armed organisations only;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes that the implementation of the third judicial reform package has led to the release of ~~a significant number of~~ detainees and welcomes the fourth judicial reform package as another important step towards a judiciary in Turkey in line with EU standards and values; notes, in particular, (i) the new, important distinction between freedom of expression and incitement to violence or to committing acts of terrorism, (ii) the limitation of the offence of praising a crime or a criminal to instances where there is a clear and imminent danger to public order and (iii) the narrowing down of the scope of the offence of committing a crime in the name of an organisation, without being a member of it, to armed organisations only;

Amendment 175 #

Tonino PICULA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the initiatives taken by the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors to promote the training of a large number of judges and prosecutors in the field of human rights and to promote a thorough, operational understanding of the ECtHR case law; encourages the Government to adopt the Human Rights Action Plan based on the ECtHR case law and aimed at addressing issues raised in judgements of the Court where Turkey was found to have violated ECHR provisions; expresses concern regarding the recent replacement of police officers and prosecutors who actively participated in investigation of corruption cases; emphasises the crucial role of impartial mechanisms of accountability for the overall result of prosecution of these cases from which society will fully benefit; encourages the Government to continue with ambitious judicial reforms built on the need to advance the defence and the promotion of fundamental rights; stresses, in this regard, the need to reform the anti-terror law as a matter of priority;

Amendment 176 #

Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER, Barbara LOCHBIHLER, Helmut SCHOLZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the initiatives taken by the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors to promote the training of a large number of judges and prosecutors in the field of human rights and to promote a thorough, operational understanding of the ECtHR case law; encourages the Government to adopt the Human Rights Action Plan based on the ECtHR case law and aimed at addressing issues raised in judgements of the Court where Turkey was found to have violated ECHR provisions, notwithstanding the need for review of the ECHR itself; encourages the Government to continue with ambitious judicial reforms built on the need to advance the defence and the promotion of fundamental rights; stresses, in this regard, the need to reform the anti-terror law as a matter of priority;

Amendment 177 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Welcomes the initiatives taken by the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors to promote the training of a large number of judges and prosecutors in the field of human rights and to promote a thorough, operational understanding of the ECtHR case law; encourages the Government to adopt the Human Rights Action Plan based on the ECtHR case law and aimed at addressing issues raised in judgements of the Court where Turkey was found to have violated ECHR provisions; encourages the Government to continue with ambitious judicial reforms built on the need to advance the defence and the promotion of fundamental rights; stresses, in this regard, the need to continue to reform the anti- terror law as a matter of priority;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls on Turkey to commit itself to combating impunity and bring to a successful conclusion efforts to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); in that connection, calls for national legislation to be to aligned with all the obligations under the Rome Statute, without restriction; looks to Turkey to adopt the necessary rules to that end and accede to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court (APIC), with a view to cooperating immediately with the ICC and investigating and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes before its national courts;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Welcomes the release of the arrested MPs following the Constitutional Court decision, given that the duration of their pre-trial detention was a violation of their fundamental rights;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;deleted

Amendment 181 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;deleted

Amendment 182 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;deleted

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;deleted

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;deleted

Amendment 185 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Reaffirms its support to~~Notes the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that ~~delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process~~the opening of such Chapters must be based on prior fulfilment of a certain number of opening benchmarks clearly laid down by the European Council; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts ~~for~~to define the opening ofbenchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;

Amendment 186 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Angelika WERTHMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’'s new approach - concerning the negotiating framework of the new candidate states - of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls upon ~~Turkey~~the Turkish government to cooperate as much as possible to this effect and to fulfil all of its relevant legal obligations stemming from the acquis communautaire and the negotiating framework and fully respect, without discrimination, the sovereign rights of the EU member states, especially the fundamental rights and judiciary systems;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end, for new accession countries, though not applicable to Turkey; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters ~~to Turkey~~ would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls~~, therefore,~~ on the Council to make ~~renewed~~similar efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24~~; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect~~ for Turkey, an old accession country candidate, as long as the latter cooperates fully to this effect, by fulfilling the prerequisite of implementing the additional Protocol and recognising the Republic of Cyprus;

Amendment 188 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Ivo VAJGL, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support ~~to the Commission’s new approach of~~for opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) ~~early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end~~; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms its support to the Commission’'s new approach of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on ~~the Council~~all Member States, including Cyprus, to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;

Amendment 19 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Angelika WERTHMANN, Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13

– having regard to the fact that, in its conclusions of 11 December 2012, the Council endorsed the Commission's new approach, though not applicable to Turkey, to place the rule of law at the heart of the enlargement policy and confirmed the centrality in the negotiating process of Cchapter 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and Cchapter 24 (justice, freedom and security), which should be tackled early in the negotiations to allow clear benchmarks and sufficient time to introduce the necessary changes in legislation, reforms of institutions and thus solid track records of implementation,

Amendment 190 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Reaffirms ~~its support to the Commission’s new approach~~the importance of opening Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice and home affairs) early in the negotiation process and closing them at the end, which would also be consistent with the Commission´s new approach which is foreseen to be applied to new candidate countries; stresses that delivering the official benchmarks for the opening of such Chapters to Turkey would provide a clear roadmap for and give a boost to the reform process; calls, therefore, on the Council to make renewed efforts for the opening of Chapters 23 and 24; calls on Turkey to cooperate as much as possible to this effect;

Amendment 191 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Urges that the accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey be definitively terminated;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Expresses concern at the Government's response to the Halkbank scandal, in which three leading Government figures' family members have been arrested; notes the dismissal and reassignment of 350 police officers involved in the initial criminal investigation; calls on the Government to fully respect legal due process;

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Underlines concerns regarding the scandals of corruption and the disputable role that the judiciary power holds in the Turkish system and calls upon Turkey to take such legal and political measures to ensure transparency and enhance the independent character of the judiciary power before the European Council takes any decision about the opening of chapters 23 and 24;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Underlines the importance of investigating and awarding justice about the scandals of corruption and put an end to the political and social turmoil so that Turkey facilitates and continues the reforms giving a boost to the negotiations with the EU;

Amendment 195 #

Sari ESSAYAH

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Commends the decision by the Assembly of Foundations to return the lands of the historic Mor Gabriel Monastery to the Syriac community in Turkey, in compliance with the pledge taken by the Government in the Democratisation package; stresses the importance of continuing with efforts to return the property of other minority religious communities and protect property rights, and in particular to continue the process of reform in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality, by eliminating all restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, such as the restriction that the Patriarch of Constantinople has to be a Turkish national, by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR and the recommendations of the Venice Commission and by eliminating all forms of discrimination or barriers based on religion; notes that progress has been particularly slow in extending the rights of the Alevi minority; underlines the importance of lifting all obstacles to a speedy reopening of the Halki Seminary;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Commends the decision by the Assembly of Foundations to return the lands of the historic Mor Gabriel Monastery to the Syriac community in Turkey, in compliance with the pledge taken by the Government in the Democratisation package; stresses the importance to continue the process of reform in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality, by eliminating all restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR and the recommendations of the Venice Commission and by eliminating ~~all forms of~~inappropriate discrimination or barriers based on religion; notes that progress has been particularly slow in extending the rights of the Alevi minority; underlines the importance of lifting all obstacles to a speedy reopening of the Halki Seminary;

Amendment 197 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Commends the decision by the Assembly of Foundations to return the lands of the historic Mor Gabriel Monastery to the Syriac community in Turkey, in compliance with the pledge taken by the Government in the Democratisation package; stresses the importance to continue the process of reform in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality, by eliminating all restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR and the recommendations of the Venice Commission and by eliminating all forms of discrimination or barriers based on religion; notes that progress has been particularly slow in extending the rights of the Alevi minority; calls on the Government to give consideration to the request from Alevi associations for cemevis to be recognised as places of worship; underlines the importance of lifting all obstacles to a speedy reopening of the Halki Seminary;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Commends the decision by the Assembly of Foundations to return the lands of the historic Mor Gabriel Monastery to the Syriac community in Turkey, in compliance with the pledge taken by the Government in the Democratisation package; stresses the importance to continue the process of reform in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion by enabling religious communities to obtain legal personality, by eliminating all restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECtHR and the recommendations of the Venice Commission and by eliminating all forms of discrimination or barriers based on religion; notes that progress has been particularly slow in extending the rights of the Alevi minority; underlines the importance of lifting all obstacles to a speedy reopening of the Halki Seminary and to the public use of the ecclesiastical title of the Ecumenical Patriarch;

Amendment 199 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Recalls that education plays a pivotal role in the process of building an inclusive and diverse society built on respect for religious communities and minorities; urges the Government of Turkey to pay special attention to educational materials in schools, which should reflect ethnic and religious plurality and plurality of beliefs in Turkish society, eliminate discrimination and prejudice and promote the full acceptance of all religious communities and minorities, and stresses the need for unbiased learning materials;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

– having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular of 10 February 2010 on Turkey’s 2009 progress report, of 9 March 2011 on Turkey’s 2010 progress report1 , of 29 March 2012 on Turkey's 2011 progress report2 ~~and~~, of 18 April 2013 on Turkey’s 2012 progress report3 and of 13 June 2013 on the situation in Turkey4, __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0090. 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0116. 3 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0184. 4 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0277.

Amendment 20 #

Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS, Niki TZAVELA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13

– having regard to the fact that, in its conclusions of 11 December 2012, the Council endorsed the Commission's new approach concerning the negotiating frameworks of new candidate states, to place the rule of law at the heart of the enlargement policy and confirmed the centrality in the negotiating process of Chapter 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and Chapter 24 (justice, freedom and security), which should be tackled early in the negotiations to allow clear benchmarks and sufficient time to introduce the necessary changes in legislation, reforms of institutions and thus solid track records of implementation,

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14α. Regrets the statements issued by Turkish officials and moves to convert the Church of St Sophia into a mosque, particularly in view of the fact that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a religious and cultural symbol; stresses that such acts constitute an attack on Christian values and the rights of religious minorities in Turkey;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14α. Stresses its serious concern regarding statements by Turkish Government officials calling for the conversion of the historic Byzantine Church of St Sophia, which functions as a museum, into an Islamic place of worship; notes that the church has been declared a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Amendment 202 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Silvia COSTA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Is concerned about the use of ‘ancestry codes’ for non-Muslim citizens in the population register since it may lead to discriminatory practices; and calls on the Turkish government to adopt a fresh approach regarding religious minorities which is more in line with internationally accepted standards;

Amendment 203 #

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Highlights the problem of women not having equal access to education, the labour market and politics; underlines that further continuous work is needed to turn gender equality legislation into political, social and economic reality; encourages the Turkish government to ensure this, to proactively promote changes in stereotypes and in the perception of gender roles in all spheres; stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender equality in the legislative process and in the implementation of laws;

Amendment 204 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Expresses support for the database on violence against women currently under preparation by the Ministry for Family and Social policies; asks to complement existing legislation on the creation of shelters for women who are victims of domestic violence with adequate follow-up mechanisms where municipalities fail to establish such shelters; supports the efforts of the Minister for Family and Social policies to raise penalties for forced early marriages, which must be eradicated; stresses the importance of providing women and girls who have been victims of violence with concrete alternatives and self-sustainment prospects; underlines also the importance of tackling poverty amongst women and of increasing the social inclusion of women; welcomes the government’s efforts to increase the schooling of girls, as a result of which the gender gap in primary education is almost closed, and calls on the government to take all the necessary measures to diminish the gender gap in secondary education too; renews its concern at the low level of women’s participation in the labour force, in politics and at senior level in the administration and encourages the Government to make gender equality a priority of its reform efforts, adopting adequate measures to promote a more central role of women in the economic and political fabric of Turkey; calls on political parties to take specific action so as to further encourage women’s active engagement and empowerment for participation in politics;

Amendment 205 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ERegrets the increase in recent years of violence against women in Turkey; expresses support for the database on violence against women currently under preparation by the Ministry for Family and Social policies; asks to complement existing legislation on the creation of shelters for women who are victims of domestic violence with adequate follow-up mechanisms where municipalities fail to establish such shelters; supports the efforts of the Minister for Family and Social policies to raise penalties for forced early marriages, which must be eradicated; renews its concern at the low level of women’s participation in the labour force, in politics and at senior level in the administration and encourages the Government to adopt adequate measures to promote a more central role of women in the economic and political fabric of Turkey;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

Amendment 21 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)

– having regard to the visa dialogue between the EU and Turkey, which has been launched in December 2013 and is paving the way for visa free travel for Turkish citizens,

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Underlines the importance that Turkey stays committed to women’s rights and gender equality; and stresses that this commitment should be based on an understanding which recognizes and respects women as individuals and not just as members of a family;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Encourages the government to establish a consistent and consolidated National Education Policy in collaboration with all the stakeholders; stresses, in light of the above, that the freedom of establishment should be ensured, where no interlocutor within education system, including private entities, is excluded from the decision- making process;

Amendment 212 #

Nikolaos CHOUNTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Urges Turkey to focus in particular on the improvement and modernization of the educational system at all levels by increasing spending on education and research; stresses in particular the need for the objective teaching of history so as to avoid inflaming nationalistic fervour and instead make students aware of the benefits of cooperation and coexistence between different peoples, nationalities and religions in the wider region.

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 215 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiatives to ~~strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the bas~~put an end to the activities of the PKK terrorist o~~f negotiations with the PKK~~rganisation; encourages the Government to ~~devise the reforms directed at~~make further progress in promoting the social, cultural and economic ~~rights of the Kurdish community~~interests of people of Kurdish origin on the basis of adequate consultation of ~~relevant stakeholders and the opposition~~all interested parties; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; calls on the Turkish authorities ~~to cooperate closely with~~and the European Commission to cooperate closely to assess which programmes under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 216 #

Metin KAZAK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative t~~o strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK~~hat aims at putting an end to the armed terrorist attacks and the activities of the PKK terrorist organization; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; calls on the Turkish authorities ~~to cooperate closely with~~and the European Commission to cooperate closely to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 217 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. S~~trongly s~~upports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish ~~problem~~issue on the basis of negotiations with the PKK; ~~encourages~~calls on the Government to ~~devise~~implement the reforms ~~direct~~needed ato promot~~ing~~e the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition~~; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large~~ and facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in the Constitutional process in which all citizens can find themselves and their rights fully recognised; calls on all political parties to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; expresses concern at the large number of cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue and the arrest of several Kurdish politicians, mayors and members of municipal councils, trade unionists, lawyers, protestors and human rights defenders in connection with the KCK trial; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition~~; calls on the~~ parties; welcomes the Government’s openness and the promise to authorise mother-tongue teaching in private schools; believes, nevertheless, that mother-tongue teaching should be provided in state education; welcomes the promise to authorise changing the names of villages and provinces and calls for the local population to be closely involved in the name-change decision; calls on the various opposition parties to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that the brutal use of police force against peaceful demonstrators in the context of the Taksim protests violate this major principle of the rule of law,

Amendment 220 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; asks all political forces to ensure an adequate political platform and to debate in a constructive way the Kurdish issue and to facilitate a real opening to the claims for basic rights in which all citizens can find themselves fully recognised; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Strongly supports the Government’s initiative to strive for a settlement of the Kurdish problem on the basis of negotiations with the PKK and other Kurdish representatives; encourages the Government to devise the reforms directed at promoting the social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community on the basis of adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders and the opposition; calls on the opposition to actively support the negotiations and the reforms as an important step for the benefit of Turkish society at large; calls on the Turkish authorities to cooperate closely with the European Commission to assess which programs under IPA could be used to promote sustainable development in the South East in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 22;

Amendment 222 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Welcomes the expected speedy implementation of the statement of intent by the Turkish Government regarding the reopening of the Greek minority school on the island Gökceada ( Imbros ), which would be a positive step in preserving the bicultural character of the Turkish islands Gökceada ( Imbros ) and Bozcaada ( Tenedos ) in accordance with Resolution No. 1625 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; notes, however, that further action is needed to address the problems faced by members of the Greek minority in relation to their property rights;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Welcomes the reopening of a Greek minority school on the island of Gökçeada (Imbros), which constitutes a positive step towards the preservation of the bicultural character of the islands of Gökçeada (Imbros) and Bozcaada (Tenedos), in line with Resolution 1625 (2008) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; In this regard, given the dwindling number of the members of the minority, calls on the Turkish authorities to encourage and facilitate expatriate minority families who wish to return to the island; also notes, that further steps are needed in order to address the problems encountered by members of the Greek minority, particularly with regard to their property rights;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16b. Takes note that problems encountered by EU nationals in relation to inheriting and registering property continue to be reported; calls on Turkey to end discrimination policies and practices in this regard, and to align its legislation and practice with the ECHR and the case-law of ECtHR;

Amendment 226 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)

16c. Expresses its regret over the conversion of the Hagia Sophia Museum in Trabzon and the Hagia Sophia Museum in Isnik into mosques, as well as over statements made by Turkish politicians on future plans for further similar decisions as regards other Christian monuments of renown historical, symbolic and cultural significance;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Is of the opinion that social dialogue and involvement of social ~~partners are vital~~and economic interest groups is important for the development of a prosperous society; Underlines the importance of further progress in the areas of social policy and employment, in particular to remove ~~all~~ obstacles to the effective functioning of trade unions~~, to establish a national employment strategy,~~ in accordance with the interests of the economy and wider society, to address undeclared work, widen the coverage of social protection mechanisms, and increase employment rates among women and people with disabilities;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Is of the opinion that social dialogue and involvement of social partners are vital for the development of a ~~prosperous society~~democratic society and can enhance the prosperity of its people; Underlines the importance of further progress in the areas of social policy and employment, in particular to remove all obstacles to the ~~effective functioning of~~work of free trade unions, to establish a national employment strategy, address undeclared work, widen the coverage of social protection mechanisms, and increase employment rates among women and people with disabilities;

Amendment 229 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Is of the opinion that social dialogue and involvement of social partners are vital for the development of a prosperous society; Underlines the importance of further progress in the areas of social policy and employment, in particular to remove all obstacles to the effective functioning of trade unions, to establish a national employment strategy, address undeclared work, widen the coverage of social protection mechanisms, and increase employment rates among women and people with disabilities; notes the gradual implementation of laws 6289 and 6356 on trade union rights in the private and public sector but is concerned by the obstacles remaining to the effective functioning of trade unions; is particularly concerned about the absence of protection from discrimination against trade unionists in companies with fewer than 30 employees; calls for trade union laws to be implemented in accordance with the ILO international standards which Turkey has ratified;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

– having regard to the fact that, in its 2013 Enlargement Strategy, the Commission concluded that, for its economy, strategic location and important regional role, Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and a valuable component of EU economic competitiveness and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; having regard to the fact that the Commission called for further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum in Turkey and in Turkish society at largeshould therefore be offered the status of a privileged partnership,

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 231 #

Andrew DUFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 232 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Takes note that problems encountered by EU nationals in relation to inheriting and registering property continue to be reported, calls on Turkey to end discrimination policies and practices in this regard, and to align its legislation and practice with the ECHR;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Expresses its serious concern about the possible direction to be taken by reform efforts in Turkey and the substance thereof with regard to the protection of basic freedoms and the Kurdish question, in view of the long period of intense confrontation in Turkey likely to result from the recent crisis triggered by a corruption scandal that rocked domestic and international public opinion and the now ingrained division within Islamic society, as well as the upcoming elections;

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Notes the concerns of the Turkish public opinion on the inability of the Court of Audit to audit many state institutions due to the lack of necessary law enforcement;

Amendment 237 #

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Tanja FAJON, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Notes the limited progress in the areas of labour and trade union rights; regrets that the legislation on trade unions rights is still not in line with EU and ILO standards and that collective action by trade unions suffers numerous restrictions; calls on Turkey to continue working on new legislation in this area to ensure that it is in line with the EU acquis and ILO conventions;

Amendment 238 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17b. Calls on Turkey, to align its legislative framework in the area of capital movements and payments with the acquis, including by gradually liberalising the acquisition of real estate by EU citizens and to abolish discrimination amongst them;

Amendment 239 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

BTurkey’s failure 3: building good neighbourly relations

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

– having regard to the fact that, in its 2013 Enlargement Strategy, the Commission concluded that, for its economy, strategic location and important regional role, Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and a valuable component of EU economic competitiveness ~~and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months~~; having regard to the fact that the Commission called for further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum in Turkey and in Turkish society at large,

Amendment 240 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes the continuing efforts by Turkey and Greece to improve their bilateral relations including through bilateral meetings; considers it regrettable, however, that the casus belli threat declared by the TGNA against Greece has not been withdrawn; urges the Government of Turkey to end the repeated violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters as well as Turkish military aircraft flights over Greek islands; calls the Turkish government to respect international law, refraining from actions, such as offshore exploration activities in areas falling within the continental shelf or other maritime zones of EU member states;

Amendment 241 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

Amendment 242 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes the continuing efforts by Turkey and Greece to improve their bilateral relations including through bilateral meetings; considers it ~~regret~~unacceptable, however, that the casus belli threat declared by the TGNA against Greece has not been withdrawn;

Amendment 243 #

Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS, Niki TZAVELA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Welcomes the increasingly friendly links between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, particularly with regard to their co- operation on energy supplies and the construction of additional oil pipelines; is encouraged that this will assist the economic development of the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in Iraq; highlights the positive symbolism that these links can bring to easing internal tensions within Turkey;

Amendment 244 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Calls on the Turkish government to refrain from any action, such as offshore exploration activities in areas falling within the continental shelf or other maritime zones of EU member-states, which damage good neighbourly relations and is not in line with international law and the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes;

Amendment 245 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Urges the avoidance of any kind of threat, source of friction or actions which could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes; stresses all the sovereign rights of EU Member States which include, inter alia, entering into bilateral agreements, in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;

Amendment 246 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Welcomes the resumption of the work of the Joint Committee on the issues outstanding between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey and calls for continued efforts to be made to resolve the matter of the property rights of Bulgarian Thracian refugees in line with the recommendations made by the European Parliament in its resolutions on the 20071 and 20112 reports on Turkey’s progress towards accession; __________________ 1 European Parliament resolution of 21 May 2008 on Turkey’s 2007 progress report, OJ C 279E, 19.11.2009 2 European Parliament resolution of 29 March 2012 on Turkey’s 2011 progress report, OJ C 257E, 6.9.2009

Amendment 247 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) without further delay and recalls the full legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone;deleted

Amendment 248 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 249 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Calls on the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nation~~Reiterates that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has been signed by the EU, its member states and all the candidate countries and that it is part of the acquis communautaire; calls Con~~vention on the Law of the Sea (~~ the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify the UNCLOS) without further delay and recalls the full legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone;

Amendment 25 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Angelika WERTHMANN, Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS, Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14

– having regard to the fact that, in its 2013 Enlargement Strategy, the Commission concluded that, for its economy, strategic location and important regional role, Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and a valuable component of EU economic competitiveness ~~and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months~~; having regard to the fact that the Commission called for further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum in Turkey and in Turkish society at large,

Amendment 250 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is part of the acquis communautaire, without further delay and recalls the full legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone; calls on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of all EU Member States which include, inter alia, the right to entering into bilateral agreements, and to explore and exploit their natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; also stresses the need to respect the sovereignty of Member States over their territorial sea; regrets Turkey’s continuous violations of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and jurisdictions within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus, by issuing statements objecting to drilling operations by the Republic of Cyprus and by threatening retaliation against companies participating in the Cypriot exploration;

Amendment 251 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

Amendment 252 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which forms an integral part of the Community acquis, without further delay and recalls the full legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone;

Amendment 253 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls upon Turkey to stop hindering all legal efforts and initiatives of the Republic of Cyprus and foreign companies which drill within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, with the aim of exploring gas and oil. Calls upon Turkey to stop violating the acquis communautaire and International Law of the Sea, which is indispensable part of its accession negotiation with the EU and therefore abide by the rules and the legal and political character of a candidate state that should fully respect the sovereign rights of all member states as the Treaties provide for;

Amendment 254 #

Nikolaos CHOUNTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Stresses the need, in the interests of good neighbourly relations and amid the economic crisis in Greece, for Turkey to initiate a mutual reduction in expensive military equipment, so that the savings thus achieved can be channelled into social measures to combat poverty, reduce unemployment and further assist the economically vulnerable sectors of society;

Amendment 255 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Angelika WERTHMANN, Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK, Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Calls upon the Turkish government to refrain from any threats and or actions against the sovereign rights and the jurisdictions of the Republic of Cyprus within its territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone;

Amendment 256 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement and the issuing of a common statement, clarifying the principles of the negotiation process under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the values and principles on which the EU is founded; calls on Turkey to immediately begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issuestakes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues; regrets, in parallel, Turkey’s rejection of the proposal of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in 2010 for, inter alia, opening the port of Famagusta under the auspices of the European Union which would allow for commercial transactions between the EU and the Turkish-Cypriots, through the port of Famagusta;

Amendment 257 #

Metin KAZAK, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

Amendment 258 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement with established UN parameters of bi-zonality, bi-communality and political equality for both communities; asks Turkey to ~~actively~~continue to support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; urges all sides to commit to negotiations to facilitate free movement of goods, services, capital, people and resolve property issues on Cyprus; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer ~~the sealed-off area of Famagusta~~Varosha 1 to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directlyallow the adoption of the Direct Trade Regulation2 which would enable the Turkish Cypriots to trade directly with the EU in a manner that is acceptable to all and to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reunification negotiations; __________________ 1 There is a factual mistake - UN Resolution 550 asks Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Varosha, which ins a ~~legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of~~quarter of Famagusta city. Famagusta can also in this case be mistakenly interpreted as the entire district. 2 In 2004, the EC propos~~als by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues;~~ ed a free trade agreement with North Cyprus, however it has been stalled ever since in the Council (even though the Lisbon Treaty has entered into force).

Amendment 259 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair democratic and viable settlement for both communities in accordance with protocol 10 and in line with the values and principles upon which the EU is founded; asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and the positive and catalytic EU support, so that the democratic values and principles are fully respected and enshrined, and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; cCalls on Turkey to immediately begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area city of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants, and to the UN, in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984)~~; calls~~ and thus facilitating the efforts towards a comprehensive solution; Calls on 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all being in line with the International Law, the acquis communautaire and with full respect to the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, as Protocol 10 and the Treaties provide for; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 14 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that a number of judiciary, legislative, institutional and practical reforms have taken place in Turkey; however, a number of long- standing problems concerning notably the administration of justice in Turkey continue having serious negative effects on the enjoyment of human rights and freedom of expression in Turkey, as well as the public perception about the independence and impartiality of the justice system; whereas as a result of these problems a high number of cases have been launched against journalists, activists and intellectuals,

Amendment 260 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a comprehensive, fair and viable settlement for both communities and encourages the leaders of the two communities to reach consensus on the expected joint statements; asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions; calls on Turkey to begin immediately withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); recalls onthe proposal of the Republic of Cyprus to open in parallel the port of Famagusta, under EU caus~~toms supervision~~pices, in order to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reunification negotiations, and to allow ~~Turkish Cypriot~~both communities to trade ~~directly~~ in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues;

Amendment 261 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement ~~for~~, recognising the concerns and interests of both communities; asks Turkey and Greece to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary- General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; as confidence- building measures, calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to make progress on transferring the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984);, and calls on the Republic of Cyprus for its part to open the port of Famagusta, under EU customs supervision, and to enable Ercan airport to operate as an international airport with its codes listed and recognised by IATA and ICAO, in order to promote a positive climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reunification negotiations, and to allow adoption of the Direct Trade Regulation to enable Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address some of the above issues;

Amendment 262 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; ~~takes note of~~welcomes the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues; further welcomes the signs of co-operation from both sides;

Amendment 263 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; ~~asks Turkey to actively support~~supports the efforts to relaunch the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; calls on Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues;

Amendment 264 #

Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS, Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER, Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; calls on Turkey to begin the full withdraw~~ing~~al of its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues;

Amendment 265 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Reiterates its strong support for the reunification of Cyprus, based on a fair and viable settlement for both communities; asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the values and principles on which the EU is founded; calls on Turkey to immediately begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550 (1984); calls 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 to allow Turkish Cypriots to trade directly in a legal manner that is acceptable to all; takes note of the proposals by the Government of Cyprus to address the above issues;

Amendment 266 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Recalls that in 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus, since when it has been occupying the northern part of the island; observes that Turkey does not recognise Cyprus, which means that, in part, it does not recognise the EU;

Amendment 267 #

Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS, Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER, Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Welcomes the joint statement of Mayor Mr Alexis Galanos and Mayor Mr Oktay Kayalp on 10 December 2013 in which they express strong support for a reunited Famagusta;

Amendment 268 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on Turkey to refrain from any new settlement of Turkish citizens on the island, as this would continue to change the demographic balance and reduce the allegiance of its citizens to a future common state based on its common past;

Amendment 269 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls upon the Turkish government to fully comply with its legal obligations stemming from the acquis communautaire and particularly from the Declaration issued by the European Community and its Member States on 21 September 2005;

Amendment 27 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15

– having regard to the fact that Turkey, for the eighth consecutive year, has still not implemented the provisions stemming from the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and the Additional Protocol thereto as well as the failure of the European Union to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community promised in the EU Council Conclusions of 26 April 2004,

Amendment 270 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Welcomes~~Takes note of Turkey’s decision to grant the Committee on Missing Persons access to a fenced military area in the northern part of Cyprus and ~~encourages~~calls on Turkey to allow the Committee to full access to relevant archives and military zones for exhumation and to take all other appropriate actions, in accordance with the findings of the ECHR, on the humanitarian issue of the missing persons; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons and calls upon Turkey to assist at the acceleration of the procedures;

Amendment 271 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Antonyia PARVANOVA, Kinga GÖNCZ, Claude MORAES, Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Welcomes Turkey’s decision to grant the Committee on Missing Persons access to ~~a fenced~~ military ~~area~~zones in the northern part of Cyprus and further encourages Turkey to ~~allow the Committee to~~continue supporting intensively the work of the Committee, for example allowing access to relevant archives and military zones for exhumation; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons;

Amendment 272 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

Amendment 273 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Welcomes Turkey’s decision to grant the Committee on Missing Persons access to a fenced military area in the ~~northern part~~occupied area of Cyprus and ~~encourages~~calls on Turkey to allow the Committee tofully access all relevant archives and military zones for exhumation; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons;

Amendment 274 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Welcomes Turkey’s decision to grant the Committee on Missing Persons access to a fenced military area in the northern part of Cyprus and encourages ~~Turkey~~both sides to allow the Committee to access relevant archives and military zones for exhumation; calls for special consideration for the work done by the Committee on Missing Persons;

Amendment 275 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Deplores Turkey’s policy of settlement and calls on Turkey to refrain from further settlement of Turkish citizens on Cyprus, contrary to the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law, which alters the demographic balance on the island and impedes a future solution;

Amendment 276 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls on Turkey to terminate present illegal settlement and to refrain from any new future illegal settlement of Turkish citizens on the island, as this would deteriorate further the existing demographic distortion and allegiance of citizens on the island; calls on Turkey to address the issue, in accordance with the Geneva Convention and the principles of International Law;

Amendment 277 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls on Turkey to address the issue of the settlement of Turkish citizens (settlers) on the island in accordance with the Geneva Convention and the principles of International Law;

Amendment 278 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Urges Turkey to ensure that the rights of all displaced persons in Cyprus are respected, including those of the religious minorities, who should be allowed to freely exercise their religious rights;

Amendment 279 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)

21c. Urges Turkey to take concrete measures in order to give an end to the destruction of cultural and religious heritage sites in the northern part of Cyprus and thereby saving a valuable part of European and global civilisation;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15

– having regard to the fact that Turkey, for the eighth consecutive year, has still not implemented the provisions stemming from the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and the Additional Protocol thereto, as the EU for its part has failed to lift the isolation of Northern Cyprus as agreed by the EU Council on 26 April 2004,

Amendment 280 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 281 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 282 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, ~~and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-~~which in itself would enable enhancement of NATO-EU cooperation ~~including Cyprus, and calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Agency~~, particularly in the area of civilian crisis management;

Amendment 283 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, and calls on Turkey and all other parties to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO ~~by lifting its veto on~~including EU-NATO cooperation ~~including~~on Cyprus, and c~~alls, in parallel,~~onsequently calls on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation inand allow fulfilment of Turkey’s commitments towards the European Defence Agency;

Amendment 284 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation including Cyprus, and calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Agency; calls on Turkey to align itself more closely with the common foreign and security stance of the European Union; calls on the Foreign Affairs Council and on the High Representative to more frequently consult with Turkey;

Amendment 285 #

Sophocles SOPHOCLEOUS, Maria Eleni KOPPA, Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER, Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean, and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation including Cyprus, and calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Agency; welcomes the Republic of Cyprus’ intention to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace Programme, which can be a game changer and urges Turkey to adopt an equally constructive attitude;

Amendment 286 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Stresses the importance of a coherent and comprehensive security approach in the Eastern Mediterranean,; and calls on Turkey to allow political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation including Cyprus, and calls, in parallel, on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey’s participation in the European Defence Agency; welcomes the intention of the Cyprus Government to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace Programme and urges Turkey to adopt an equally constructive attitude;

Amendment 287 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Urges Turkey to take measures and put an end to an ecological disaster occurring on the mountain of Pentadaktylos as a result of unregulated quarrying;

Amendment 288 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Reminds Turkey that the judgment of the ECtHR on the fourth inter-state case of Cyprus v. Turkey, is not limited to the issue of the missing people;

Amendment 289 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. In furtherance of the principles of democracy, and in accordance with articles 10.2 and 14.2 of TEU, calls for the representation of both communities in Cyprus in the European Parliament, with the proviso that, until a comprehensive settlement is reached, Turkish Cypriots be represented by observers, on a similar basis to the procedure used in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and that this be budget neutral;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15

– having regard to the fact that Turkey, for the eighth consecutive year, has still not implemented the provisions stemming from the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and the Additional Protocol thereto, and that the EU Council conclusions of 26 April 2004 on Cyprus have still not been implemented,

Amendment 290 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Urges Turkey ~~and Armenia~~ to proceed to a normalisation of ~~their~~its relations with Armenia by ratifying, without preconditions, the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations, by opening the border and by actively improving their relations, with particular reference to cross-border cooperation and reco~~nomic integration~~gnition of the Armenian’s genocide;

Amendment 291 #

Evgeni KIRILOV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. In taking note of certain ill-considered irredentist statements made by Prime Minister Erdogan, calls on the Turkish authorities to refrain from any provocative rhetoric in connection with regions in neighbouring countries that would have a destabilising effect on good-neighbourly relations with EU Member States, or in connection with certain countries in the Western Balkans;

Amendment 292 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Calls on the Turkish Government to recognise as such the genocide perpetrated in 1915 and 1916 against the Armenians, in which according to scholarly studies cost the lives of more than 1.5 million people;

Amendment 293 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Calls on Turkey to make greater efforts to foster good-neighbourly relations with the other countries in the Balkans and to refrain from adopting official positions that are at odds with membership of the EU, offend national dignity and call into question the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbouring countries;

Amendment 294 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)

23b. Under UN auspices, calls on the EU, particularly under the Greek Presidency, the Governments of Turkey and Greece and of the Republic of Cyprus and of Northern Cyprus to make a concerted effort towards the resolution of the Cyprus problem, bearing in mind that non-settlement of this issue has a fundamental effect on EU-Turkey relations;

Amendment 295 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4

ATurkey’s failure 4: advancing EU-Turkey cooperation

Amendment 296 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4

~~Advancing EU-Turkey cooperation~~Cooperation between the EU and Turkey

Amendment 297 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Deplo~~Regrets that Turkey~~’s refusal to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory~~ has not implement~~ation of~~ed the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement towards all Member States; recalls that th~~is refusal continues to have a profound effect on the negotiation process~~e non-settlement of the Cyprus issue continues to affect EU-Turkey relations and therefore calls on all sides concerned to make a concerted effort towards its resolution;

Amendment 298 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. 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 have a profound effect on the~~upon Turkey to lift the embargo that it has imposed upon vessels and airplanes belonging to the Republic of Cyprus, through the opening of its ports and airports; calls on the Turkish government to fully implement the Additional Protocol without discrimination and further delay; recalls that this refusal continues to deeply affect the process of negotiation ~~proces~~s;

Amendment 299 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Deplores ~~Turkey’s refusal~~that despite repeated calls, Turkey has not complied with its obligations outlined in the Declaration of the European Community and its Member States of 21 Sept. 2005 and refused 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 have a profound effect on the negotiation process~~such non- compliance and refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus continues to have a profound effect on the negotiation process; deeply regrets for statements, threats and actions of Turkish officials against a Member State, or source of friction or actions which could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes; urges therefore Turkey to fulfil its obligations and to implement the protocol in full without further delay;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

– having regard to the Negotiating Framework for Turkey of 3 October 2005, and the Declaration of the European Community and its Member States of 21 September 2005,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)

- having regard to the fact that the positive agenda was launched in May 2012 to support and complement the negotiations through enhanced cooperation in a number of areas of joint interest, and this initiative does not replace the accessions negotiations but it complements them,

Amendment 300 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. ~~Deplores Turkey’s refusal~~In return for confidence-building measures such as those in paragraph 20 above (as amended) urges Turkey 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~~, as this would have a profound effect on the negotiation process;

Amendment 301 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

Amendment 302 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Jorgo CHATZIMARKAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. 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 as well as the fact that the European Union has still not taken all the necessary steps towards lifting the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots as stipulated in the EU Council Conclusions of 26 April 2004; recalls that this refusal continues to have a profound effect on the negotiation process;

Amendment 303 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Deeply regrets Turkey’s decision to abstain from meetings and contacts with the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU (second half of 2012) 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 is based on the principles of sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity amongst all its Member States and respect for the institutional framework; recalls that recognition of all EU Member states is a necessary component of the accession process. accordingly, Turkey is urged to proceed with normalisation of its relations with all EU Member states the soonest the possible, including lifting its veto of EU Member states membership of several international organizations;

Amendment 304 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24a. Welcomes the conclusion of the EU- Turkey agreement on the return of illegal immigrants and calls for the full implementation thereof in respect of all Member States. Deplores Turkey’s refusal to implement the agreement in respect of the Republic of Cyprus and its continuing failure to recognize Cyprus as a fully- fledged EU Member State;

Amendment 305 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)

24b. Regrets the cancelling by Turkey of the 70th JPC meeting and its negative impact on the interparliamentary political dialogue; notes the lack of sanctions for such refusal;

Amendment 306 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 c (new)

24c. Underlines the importance of a comprehensive monitoring of the implementation of the Instrument for Pre- Accession Assistance (IPA) to Turkey, with a view to prioritising targets and projects that are in full line with Turkey’s accession criteria;

Amendment 307 #

Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it and urges Turkey to remove remaining restrictions on the free movement of goods;

Amendment 308 #

Elena BĂSESCU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it; calls on Turkey to fulfil all commitments made under the Customs Union by eliminating all restrictions on the free movement of goods;

Amendment 309 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it; calls on the Commission to keep Turkey informed during negotiations on the signing of a free-trade agreement with third countries;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16

– having regard to the fact that, for its own benefit, and with a view to enhancing stability and promoting good neighbourly relations and positive political and economic partnership, Turkey needs to step up ~~its~~ efforts to solve outstanding bilateral issues, including unsettled legal obligations and land and maritime border and airspace disputes with its immediate neighbours, in accordance with the provisions of the UN charter and with international law,

Amendment 310 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it; calls on the Commission to find innovative ways to include Turkey in trade negotiations the EU conducts with third countries, and which will affect Turkey;

Amendment 311 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Notes that Turkey continues to be the EU’s sixth biggest trading partner and that the EU is Turkey’s biggest with 38% of Turkey’s total trade going to the EU and almost 71% of FDI coming from the EU; notes that due to this interdependence in trade, Turkey is deeply affected by the trade agreements which are concluded by the EU with third countries, while it does not take part in the negotiations thereof, therefore underlines the importance of EU to take into account Turkey´s concerns; welcomes the ongoing Commission evaluation of the EU-Turkey Customs Union with the aim of assessing its impact on both parties and ways to update it;

Amendment 312 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Stresses the importance of free trade agreements (FTA) to establish global value chains and boost the EU’s global competitiveness; calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive dialogue and cooperation with Turkey regarding FTA negotiations with third countries, to fully benefit from these agreements taking into account the high level of economic and industrial integration between the EU and Turkey, as well as the obligation to conduct the Common Commercial Policy within the Customs Union that requires the Parties to have the same preferential trade regimes;

Amendment 313 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Underlines the importance of Turkey cooperating with the EU on the fight against international corruption and money laundering;

Amendment 314 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)

25b. Calls on the Commission to develop closer coordination with Turkey in the TTIP negotiations to make full use of the EU’s and Turkey’s joint economic potential;

Amendment 315 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)

25c. Notes that road transportation restrictions between the EU and Turkey create an obstacle to further development of bilateral trade between the parties; asks the Commission, the Member States and Turkey to find a mutually acceptable solution for those issues;

Amendment 316 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 d (new)

25d. Notes that the increased involvement of Turkey to EU’s decision making mechanisms in areas related to the functioning of the Customs Union and especially in the formation of the common commercial policy could facilitate Turkey’s implementation of the EU legislation relevant to the Customs Union;

Amendment 317 #

Antigoni PAPADOPOULOU, Niki TZAVELA, Angelika WERTHMANN, Ana GOMES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

Amendment 318 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. BWel~~ieves that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy; underlines that~~comes cooperation between the EU and Turkey on a number of important green energy issues and calls on Turkey to commit itself that green energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed;

Amendment 319 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, consideration should be given to ~~the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15~~EU/Turkey cooperation on energy; underlines that energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16

– having regard to the fact that, for its own benefit, and with a view to enhancing stability and promoting good neighbourly relations, Turkey needs to step up its efforts to solve outstanding bilateral issues, including unsettled legal obligations and land and maritime border and airspace disputes with its immediate neighbours and also refrain from any threat against EU member states, in accordance with the provisions of the UN charter and with international law,

Amendment 320 #

Sir Graham WATSON, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, ~~consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy; underlines that~~ energy and climate efficiency priorities ~~need to~~should be addressed;

Amendment 321 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub and plentiful renewable energy resources, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy; underlines that climate change, renewable energy and ~~climate~~energy efficiency priorities ~~need to be addressed~~and the mutual benefits of linking the EU and Turkey’s electricity transmission networks need to be addressed given in particular forecasts for significant growth in Turkey’s energy demand in coming decades;

Amendment 322 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy; underlines that energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed; calls on Turkey to publish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target as soon as possible; calls on Turkey not to exclude major projects such as Istanbul’s third airport, the third bridge or the planned nuclear plants from the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive; notes the implementation of Law No 6446 on the electricity market, but regrets the inclusion of a provisional article allowing public and privatised electricity generating companies not to comply with environmental laws until 2018; calls on Turkey to adjust its energy mix in favour of renewables, of which the country has abundant sources, and calls on the Commission to prioritise its funding on renewable energy projects and the electricity grid in Turkey;

Amendment 323 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy, provided that Turkey will first commit to fully respecting the sovereign rights of all member states including the Republic of Cyprus right to its Exclusive Economic Zone according to UNCLOS, as well as respecting the obligations described in the Negotiating Framework to good neighbourly relations and peaceful settlement of disputes; underlines that energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed;

Amendment 324 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy; underlines that energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed, should the Turkish government commit itself to stop violating the sovereign rights of its neighbouring countries and fully respect the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea;

Amendment 325 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, ~~consider~~negotiations should be ~~given to the value of opening negotiations~~opened on Chapter 15 on energy as a priority; underlines that energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed;

Amendment 326 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that, in view of Turkey’s strategic role as an energy hub, consideration should be given to the value of opening negotiations on Chapter 15 on energy; stresses the importance of involving Turkey in the process of shaping Europe’s energy policy; underlines that energy and climate efficiency priorities need to be addressed;

Amendment 327 #

Davor Ivo STIER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Notes Turkey’s increased engagement in the Southeast Europe, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and encourages Turkish authorities to align its positions with EU’s CFSP, to coordinate diplomatic activities with the HR/VP and to strengthen further the cooperation with EU Member States;

Amendment 328 #

Metin KAZAK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. ~~Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of~~Calls for an immediate resolution to the conflict in Syria in accordance with the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for democracy, foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believedom, dignity and political pluralism within the territorial integrity and national unity of Syria; expresses the grave concern with respect to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria and the urgency for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraqroughout the country; welcomes Turkey’s pivotal role in its region and international arena to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people by hosting more than 600 000 Syrians in its territory and also addressing the needs of the IDPs through cross border operations; urges the international community to increase their bilateral contributions to the neighbouring countries in line with the burden sharing principle;

Amendment 329 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; ~~notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restric~~asks Turkey to control its borders in order to prevent the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; welcomes the role played by Turkey in supporting the democratic opposition in Syria; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 33 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17

– having regard to the fact that Turkey has the potential to play a pivotal role in diversifying energy resources and routes for oil, gas and electricity transit from neighbouring countries to the EU ~~and that there is a potential for both Turkey and the EU to benefit from Turkey's rich renewable energy resources in creating a sustainable low-carbon economy~~,

Amendment 330 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, pre~~stric~~vent the entry of fighters ~~and arm flows to groups credibly found to be~~ implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq;

Amendment 331 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU ~~and Turkey~~, Turkey and other regional and international stakeholders should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria without delay and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 332 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of such fighters and arm ~~flow~~s to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU ~~and Turkey~~, Turkey, the UK, France and the US, along with other key international partners, should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 333 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; is worried about the social and economic burden of these refugees particularly on the neighbouring cities of Turkey; calls for the international community, the EU and the Member States to continue providing support in response to this exceptional humanitarian crisis and to commit themselves to providing effective assistance to Syria’s neighbouring countries, among them, Turkey; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 334 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; is worried about the social and economic burden of these refugees particularly on the neighbouring cities of Turkey, notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 335 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to Islamist groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 336 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Welcomes Turkey’s commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to almost one million Syrian refugees; notes that a large number of foreign fighters in Syria gain access to Syria via Turkey and asks Turkey to increase border patrols, restrict the entry of fighters and arm flows to groups credibly found to be implicated in systematic human rights violations; believes that the EU and Turkey should actively seek to develop a joint strategic vision to promote a political solution in Syria and support political and economic stability in the region, with particular reference to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq;

Amendment 337 #

Andrew DUFF, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Considers it unacceptable that Turkey now has the largest number of imprisoned journalists in the world, leading to intimidation and self- censorship of the media; calls on the Commission and the Council of Ministers to set Turkey a tight deadline for lifting this massive curb on press freedom and, if Turkey refuses, to halt accession negotiations without delay;

Amendment 338 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)

27a. Invites the next Parliament and Commission to review the integrity and plausibility of the ‘long-lasting and open- ended’ accession process in which the EU and Turkey have been engaged for many years, and to consider, in the light of that review, whether an alternative form of association short of full membership would be a more feasible goal, at least in the medium term;

Amendment 34 #

Nikolaos SALAVRAKOS, Niki TZAVELA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

- having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that has been signed by the EU, its Member States and all other candidate countries and is part of the EU acquis,

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

- whereas tackling corruption at all levels is an important element of a functioning rule of law,

Amendment 36 #

Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

- whereas Turkey continues to be actively involved in its wider neighbourhood and is an important regional player,

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

– having regard to the conclusions of the report of 26 November 2013 by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, which highlighted the inappropriate conduct of law enforcement officials during the Gezi protests,

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)

– having regard to the fact that as a result of the Gezi protests and the excessive use of police force, six people were killed, including one police officer, and 8 041 were injured, and that at least 3 500 people were held in pre-trial detention, 112 of whom have remained in prison on the order of a judge, including members of the NGOs taking part in the Taksim Solidarity Platform, and that 108 of these people have been detained on charges of belonging to a terrorist organisation,

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 c (new)

– having regard to the speeches given on 16 November 2013 in Diyarbakır by Prime Minister Erdoğan and the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, calling for a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish conflict,

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6

– having regard to the Council conclusions of 14 December 2010, 5 December 2011 ~~and~~, 11 December 2012 and 25 June 2013,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 d (new)

– having regard to the fact that, according to the UNHCR, in December 2013 Turkey was sheltering more than 560 000 refugees from Syria,

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Turkey’s failure 1: Credible Commitment and Strong Democratic Foundations

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey ~~and shares~~; dissociates itself from the Commission's conclusion that ~~Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that~~ ‘important progress on reforms was made in Turkey in the preceding twelve months’; underlines th~~e importance and urgent need of further~~ at these so-called 'reforms' a~~nd the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice~~re a farce and that, contrary to the impression given, Turkey is constantly regressing;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and ~~that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months~~should therefore be offered the status of a privileged partnership; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union ~~and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months~~; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice;

Amendment 46 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms ~~and~~for a greater accountability and transparency in the administration, the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly through respecting and empowering civil society, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that important progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice; regrets however that the events around Gezi Park and the heavy-handed response from security forces, along with increasingly reactionary and harsh public statements by Prime Minister Erdoğan, raise serious questions about the government's commitment to respect basic democratic values and tolerate different views and lifestyles;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the 2013 Progress Report on Turkey and shares the Commission's conclusion that Turkey is a strategic partner for the European Union and that ~~important~~ progress on reforms was made in the preceding twelve months; underlines the importance and urgent need of further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum and in society more broadly, as well as the respect of fundamental rights in practice; Calls upon Turkey to take further steps in order to enhance and increase the independence of the judiciary power and restore its credibility after being badly injured as a result of the current social and political crisis of corruption;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7

~~– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,~~deleted

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Strongly reminds that separation of powers, full respect for rule of law and fundamental rights, and impartiality and independence of the judiciary are 'sine qua non' conditions for a well- functioning democracy;

Amendment 52 #

Metin KAZAK, Ismail ERTUG, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Believes 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 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;deleted

Amendment 54 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes th~~e transformative power of~~at the launch of the accession negotiations between the EU~~nion~~ and Turkey, which have provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective refas a massive error – further confirmed by the developments in the past year, such as (1) the excessive police violence employed on the instructions of the Turkish Government, by means of which largely peaceful demonstrations were brutally repressed all over the country from May 2013 onwards, and the numerous arrests of demonstratorms ~~furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positiv~~and journalists which accompanied it, and (2) the corruption scandal within the Turkish Government, as a result of which ten ministers, including the Minister for EU Affairs and accession negotiator, Egemen Bağış, had to leave their posts, and the attempts by Prime Minister Erdoğan to conceal the scandal by on the one chan~~ge in th~~d replacing senior police officers who were investi~~tutions, in legislation~~gating the corruption with ‘friends’ favourable to him and~~, i~~ on the ~~mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22~~other hand by seeking to introduce a law permitting only senior police officers, and not those of lower rank, to investigate corruption, thereby reserving such investigations for his ‘friends’; urges that the accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey be definitively terminated;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Notes the transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have~~Stresses that accession negotiations, conducted in good faith, could provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 57 #

Andrew DUFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a ~~mutual~~ commitment by Turkey ~~and the Union~~ to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; ~~welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;~~

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the potential transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which ~~have~~could provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses ~~therefore~~ the importance of ~~credibl~~restoring credibility to the negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the transformative power of accession negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;

Amendment 6 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Sir Graham WATSON, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

– having regard to Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council of 22 December 1995 on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union (Decision 1/95),

Amendment 60 #

Metin KAZAK, Ivo VAJGL, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes the transformative power of negotiations between the Union and Turkey, which have provided Turkey with a clear reference for its reform process; stresses therefore the importance of credible accession negotiations based on a mutual commitment by Turkey and the Union to effective reforms furthering the democratic foundations of Turkish society, promoting fundamental values and producing positive change in the institutions, in legislation and, in the mentality of society; welcomes, therefore the opening of Chapter 22;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Believes that the opening of new chapters would renew mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process in order to maintain a constructive relationship;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Believes that the full potential of EU- Turkey relations is best fulfilled within the framework of an active and credible accession process;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between~~Calls on the Turkeyish and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EUuropean authorities, when negotiating integrated migration flοws policies, to ensure the human rights of migrants and ther efore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil societyfective international protection for asylum seekers and refugees; calls on the EU to provide in this regards full technical and financial support to Turkey and on Turkey to fully implement the 1951 Geneva Convention and its 1967 Protocol;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and~~Welcomes the signing of the readmission agreement, as well as the initiation of the dialogue on visa liberalisation between the European Commission and Turkish authorities, looking forward to the swift ratification of the readmission agreement and its full and effective implementation vis-à-vis all Member States; progress in the dialogue on visa liberalisation will be founded on a performance based approach and conditioned on effective and consistent implementation by Turkey of the re~~admission agre~~quirement ~~and~~s in the visa roadmap ~~leading to visa liberalisation~~vis-à-vis the EU and all its Member States; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil societyfully and effectively implement the existing bilateral readmission agreements and readmission provisions contained in similar agreements without further delay towards all Member States; to intensify furthermore its cooperation with the EU on migration policy issues; to fight against human trafficking and border controls;

Amendment 66 #

Andrew DUFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL, Evgeni KIRILOV

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Welcomes the ~~importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU~~signing of the readmission agreement, as well as the initiation onf the ~~relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and~~dialogue on visa liberalisation; calls on Turkey to implement the readmission agreement as well as the requirements of the rRoadm Map ~~leading to~~for the visa liberalisation fully, consistently and effectively vis-à-vis all member states; recalls that Turkey iremains one of the key transit countries for i~~rregular~~llegal migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academefficient implementation of existing bilateral readmission agreements remains a priority; stresses the importance of better management of mixed migration flows at all Turkey's borders, especially those with the EU, and calls on Turkey to align with the EU acquis in respect of the visa policsy, ~~students and representatives of civil society~~and those third countries whose nationals constitute a significant source if mixed migratory flows towards the EU;

Amendment 67 #

Metin KAZAK, Ismail ERTUG, Ivo VAJGL, Jelko KACIN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Welcomes the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisationsignature by Turkey of the readmission agreement on 16 December 2013 , which enables the launch of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; welcomes the establishment of the General Directorate of Migration Management with the enacted Law on Foreigners and International Protection; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Welcomes the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisationsignature by Turkey of the readmission agreement on 16 December 2013, which enables the launch of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Welcomes the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisationsignature by Turkey of the readmission agreement on 16 December 2013; calls on Turkey and the Commission to move forward in dialogue to make substantial progress fast on the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey – a never-ending process – were opened on 3 October 2005 ~~and~~; whereas since thaten the ~~opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long-lasting and open-ended process based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the commitment to reform~~gulf between the EU and Turkey has not been narrowed but has constantly widened,

Amendment 70 #

Eduard KUKAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Welcomes the ~~importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both~~signature of the EU ~~and~~- Turkey ~~of the~~ readmission agreement and the launch of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to ~~sign and~~ implement the readmission agreement without ~~further~~ delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take further steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Notes the sim~~portance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey~~ultaneous signing of the readmission agreement and of the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society; calls for the implementation of this readmission agreement to be subject to democratic oversight in order to guarantee that the rights of the persons concerned are fully respected; calls on Turkey and the European Union to comply in full with their international and European human rights obligations, in particular as regards the principle of non- refoulement and access to the asylum procedure; calls on Turkey to put in place an effective asylum system in accordance with international standards;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil societRecalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Stress~~Welcomes the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay;agreement to sign and implement the readmission agreement staged in Ankara on December 2013 and calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation ~~and stresses the clear benefits of~~, with an aim to facilitat~~ing~~e access to the EU for Turkish business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; rRecalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU ~~and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement~~; stresses that it was a massive error to combine the negotiations on the readmission agreement with~~out further delay~~ those on visa liberalisation; calls on the Commission ~~in parallel to tak~~to reverse the future steps towards visa liberalisation ~~and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil societ~~pledged to Turkey;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of ~~achieving~~ a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore ~~calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and~~welcomes the signing of the readmission agreement and the initiation of the EU-Turkey Visa liberalisation dialogue on 16 December 2013; stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the ~~roadmap leading to~~opening of a process of dialogue on visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to ~~sign and~~ implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics~~, students and representatives of civil society~~ and students;

Amendment 78 #

Krzysztof LISEK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore ~~calls on Turkey to sign and impl~~welcomes the signing of the readmission agreement by the ~~read~~Commission a~~gre~~nd Turkey on 16 December 2013 and expresses the hope that it will be implemented without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance, for both the EU and Turkey, of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to ~~sign and~~implement the readmission agreement without further delay; expresses concerns and regrets about statements delivered by the Turkish government that there is no intention of implementing the readmission agreement with~~out further delay~~ the Republic of Cyprus and underlines that this political attitude is in contrast with the EU legal system and therefore calls upon the Turkish government to respect and abide by the legal framework and obligations stemming from the readmission agreement; otherwise measures should be taken in order to protect the EU legal system and the legal and political rights of its Member states; calls on the Commission to ensure that, until this agreement comes into force and is fully and effectively implemented towards all Member States, existing bilateral agreements are fully implemented; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey were opened on 3 October 2005 ~~and that the opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long-lasting and open-ended process based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the commitment to reform~~, in spite of the fact that Turkey is not a European country and for that reason cannot join the EU,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society; recognises that it is a matter for Member State governments, through the transitional arrangements in the Accession Treaty and revision as necessary of the EU Treaties, to take decisions relating to migration issues such as restrictions on freedom of movement, recognising that this issue has become a matter of great concern in many Member States;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. SWelcomes the agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on "Readmission of Persons Residing Without Authorisation" signed on 16 December 2013; stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of achieving a common understanding between Turkey and the EU on the relevance for both the EU and Turkey of the readmission agreement and the roadmap leading to visa liberalisation; recalls that Turkey is one of the key transit countries for irregular migration to the EU and therefore calls on Turkey to sign and implement the readmission agreement without further delay; calls on the Commission to take all necessary measures to safeguard the rights of Turkish citizens legally resident in EU Member States; calls on the Commission in parallel to take steps towards visa liberalisation and stresses the clear benefits of facilitating access to the EU for business people, academics, students and representatives of civil society;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Expresses deep concern about recent developments in Turkey with regard to allegations of high level corruption and calls on the Turkish government to refrain from interfering in judicial proceedings and to make sure regulations are in line with the principles of the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers as well as the relevant articles of the Constitution;

Amendment 84 #

Tunne KELAM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Observes with serious concern the recent corruption scandal; regrets the statements by Turkish authorities on alleged mini-coup d'état carried by conspiracy allegations and that has resulted in mass arrests and partial investigations purging about 350 police investigators and blocking a second wave of investigations in the corruption case; underlines the fundamental importance of impartial judicial system and separation of powers as the core values of a democratic regime based on the rule of law;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Reminds the government of Turkey of its own dedication to the eradication of corruption, more specifically by implementing the majority of recommendations made in the 2005 evaluation reports by the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO);

Amendment 86 #

Andrew DUFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

FTurkey’s failure 2: fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -4 (new)

-4. Expresses its great concern at recent developments which amount to a crisis of the Turkish State; deplores the statements of the government which point to a lack of understanding of the principle of the separation of powers; regrets the serious breakdown of trust between the government, the judiciary, the police and the media; urges the government to desist from actions which impede the investigation and prosecution of corruption and organised crime in high places; calls once again for all institutions, business interests and political forces to fully respect the rule of law and to guarantee the impartiality and independence of the judiciary; calls, moreover, on the Gülen Movement to improve its transparency and accountability, and expects that all allegations against the Movement will be subject to impartial enquiry;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -4 a (new)

-4a. Is concerned about the recent developments in Turkey surrounding a major corruption investigation; strongly recalls the need to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the judicial process and for all parties concerned to fully respect the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers;

Amendment 89 #

Andrew DUFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Ivo VAJGL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reformsurges all political actors to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society and take into consideration~~, whenever possible,~~ their interests and views ~~in an inclusive manner~~of all elements of the population, including minorities;

Amendment 9 #

Göran FÄRM, Åsa WESTLUND, Marita ULVSKOG, Anna HEDH, Olle LUDVIGSSON, Jens NILSSON, Ismail ERTUG, Tanja FAJON, Jo LEINEN, Richard HOWITT

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9

– having regard to the fact that accession negotiations with Turkey were opened on 3 October 2005 and that the opening of such negotiations is the starting point for a long- lasting and open-ended process based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the commitment to reform, with the common goal of full EU membership as soon as the membership criteria' are fulfilled,

Amendment 90 #

Tonino PICULA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of ~~Turkey’s~~the political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; emphasizes the crucial role of civil society organisations and the need for adequate communication with public for the fulfilment of necessary reforms; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority and civil society organisations in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner; emphasises that constitutional reform must remain the top priority for the modernisation of the Republic in which those elected democratically will also govern democratically;

Amendment 92 #

Alexander Graf LAMBSDORFF, Marietje SCHAAKE, Baroness Sarah LUDFORD, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN, Andrew DUFF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’'s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner; underlines that democracy is more than elections and expects those elected democratically also to govern democratically;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration~~, whenever possible,~~ their interests and views in an inclusive manner;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the ~~minori~~various political forces and civil society in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on drafting a new Constitution and on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner;

Amendment 96 #

Adam BIELAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points to the crucial role of a system of checks and balances for any modern democratic State and the fundamental role that the Turkish Grand National Assembly must play at the centre of Turkey’s political system in providing a framework for dialogue and consensus-building across the political spectrum; expresses concern about political polarisation and the lack of readiness on the part of government and opposition to work towards consensus on key reforms; urges all political actors, the government and the opposition to work together to enhance a pluralistic vision in State institutions and to promote the modernisation and democratisation of the State and society; calls on the political majority to actively involve civil society and the minority in the deliberation process on relevant reforms and take into consideration, whenever possible, their interests and views in an inclusive manner;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Underlines the importance of all ministries to cooperate with the Court of Auditors in the preparation of the audit reports by sending the relevant data and of the complete audit reports to be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly prior to the approval of the budget;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the Government to guarantee the functioning of the Court of Accounts in accordance with international standards; calls on the Government to provide the institutions concerned, including the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and the public with complete access to the reports of the Court of Accounts, including the reports concerning the security forces;

Amendment 99 #