WRITTEN QUESTION No. 77/98 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Driftnets
17. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 223/103 Answer (11 May 1998) The reasons for the influx of migrants from and through Turkey are complex. Therefore, further analysis is required. As far as Iraq is concerned, a combination of political and economic factors appear to be involved: the long-standing rivalry between the two main Kurdish parties in northern Iraq, cross-border operations conducted by Turkish forces against the PKK organization, economic insecurity, and the repressive policies of Saddam Hussein. As far as migration from Turkey itself is concerned, the long-running conflict in south-east Turkey between the Turkish security forces and the PKK has resulted in a large scale displacement of rural populations and depression of the regional economy. A growing number of migrants coming from/through Turkey are neither of Turkish nor Iraqi nationality, but from third countries in Asia or Africa. The Council recognises that a key element in tackling the problem is to establish effective cooperation with the Turkish government. Close collaboration with the UNHCR is also essential. The Presidency is pursuing these contacts actively. In this context it has to be noted that the Turkish attitude towards the Kurdish minority will be a determining factor for the future development of EU-Turkish relations. The General Affairs Council on 30 March reviewed the overall implementation of a 46-point action plan approved by the General Affairs Council on 26 January 1998 in order to deal with this problem and concluded that overall implementation was proceeding satisfactorily. The Council does not intend to send observers to south-eastern Turkey or northern Iraq but it does benefit from the information collected during fact-finding visits by representatives of Member States to the region. (98/C 223/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0073/98 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (30 January 1998) Subject: Export of live cattle to third countries Further to Mr Fischlerís answer to Written Question E-3253/97 (1) given on behalf of the Commission on 7 November 1997, could the Commission now say how much was paid out in export refunds for live cattle exports to third countries in the period 16 October 1996 to 15 October 1997? (1) OJ C 134, 30. 4. 1998, p. 127. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 February 1998) In the period between 16 October 1996 and 15 October 1997, a provisional figure indicates that 134. 9 MECU was granted in export subsidies for live animals. For 1997, an estimate based on licence applications, indicates that the Community exported 271 483 animals. (98/C 223/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0077/98 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (30 January 1998) Subject: Driftnets During negotiations for the UN General Assembly late last year, the European Commissionís representative would not approve of a motion calling for the confiscation and destruction of illegal driftnets. The representative claimed that the Commission had only agreed to seek a ban on driftnets, not their destruction