WRITTEN QUESTION No. 93/98 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Turkey and antipersonnel mines
16. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 187/141 Answer (23 March 1998) As the Honourable Members know, the Council has no authority to amend or correct the text of the Treaties (1). Nevertheless, the Council would point out that it will take measures under Article 13 which it considers appropriate, acting by unanimity after consultation of the European Parliament. The Council firmly condemns violence against, and sexual exploitation of, children, and has taken appropriate measures under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union. These include the joint action of 16 December 1996 extending the mandate given to the Europol Drugs Unit (2); the joint action of 29 November 1996 establishing an incentive and exchange programme for persons responsible for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children the STOP programme (3), and the joint action of 24 February 1997 concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children (4); (1) The Council understands the reference made in the Written Question to the new Article13 of the draft TEU as being a reference to Article 13 of the TEC as renumbered by the Treaty of Amsterdam. (2) OJ L 342, 31. 12. 1996, p. 4. (3) OJ L 322, 12. 12. 1996, p. 7. (4) OJ L 63, 4. 3. 1997, p. 2. (98/C 187/217) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0093/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (30 January 1998) Subject: Turkey and antipersonnel mines In accordance with international agreements and appeals by the European Parliament Greece has decided to support the ban on the use of antipersonnel mines. Turkey, on the other hand, is showing no sign of complying and is keeping the entire area along its border with Greece mined. Furthermore, in an unprecedented act of insensitivity and sadism it is directing towards the mined area hundreds of desperate Kurdish refugees seeking to enter Greece and, from there, the rest of the EU. What measures will the Commission take with a view to bringing Turkey into line with international agreements, with which Greece has already complied, sacrificing strategic advantages and defence requirements to humanitarian considerations? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (17 February 1998) The Commission has been a strong supporter of the Ottawa process and, in dialogue with third countries, has encouraged adherence to the Convention to ban the use of anti-personnel landmines. The Member States which have signed the Convention are committed to use their best endeavours to ratify it at the earliest opportunity, to take appropriate steps to comply with the objectives of the Convention pending its entry into force, and to promote universal accession. The Community will also seek to promote, in all appropriate international fora, including the Conference of disarmament, in which Turkey is a participant, all efforts likely to contribute to the total elimination of anti-personnel landmines world-wide as well as contributing to solving the problems already caused by these weapons. The Commission will continue to play a strong role in these activities, wherever appropriate in accordance with its responsibilities