WRITTEN QUESTION No. 211/98 by Katerina DASKALAKI to the Council. Overflight by Turkish spy planes of a British base in Cyprus
17. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 223/137 (98/C 223/178) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0210/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council (11 February 1998) Subject: New cases of arbitrary action by Turkey in the occupied territories The UK presidency is faced with the additional task of beginning negotiations with the countries earmarked for accession including Cyprus. Will the Council say whether it is aware of the following: 1. Allegations that the Turkish occupying forces are selling off the dwellings of Greek Cypriots in the occupied town of Kythrea, and, indeed, placing advertisements in the British press for this purpose; and 2. Italian press reports that the Turkish mafia has opened banks in the occupied part of Cyprus for banking operations involving money from illegal immigration, drugs-trafficking and smuggling? The same publications claim that state officials and Turkish politicians are involved? If so, what action does it intend to take to address this situation? Answer (11 May 1998) The Council is unaware of the information referred to by the Honourable Member. With regard to the accession negotiations with Cyprus, these began, as with the other five applicants, on 31 March 1998. They are based on the principle of complete acceptance by the applicant countries of the European Union acquis. The acquis comprises a number of measures in the area of justice and home affairs, including cooperation in combating drugs and organized crime, and the strengthening of the fight against illegal immigration. The Council would point out that the European Unionís position is that the accession negotiations with Cyprus will make a positive contribution to finding a political solution to the Cyprus question, by means of the talks under the aegis of the United Nations. The European Union welcomed the offer made by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to include Turkish Cypriot representatives in the delegation negotiating the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. It regrets that the Turkish Cypriot communityís response to this offer has so far been negative and reiterates the importance it attaches to the involvement of Turkish Cypriots in the accession process, in accordance with the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council. The Presidency and the Commission will pursue the necessary contacts. (98/C 223/179) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0211/98 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Council (11 February 1998) Subject: Overflight by Turkish spy planes of a British base in Cyprus The Republic of Cyprusí civil aviation services and the Cypriot National Guardís radar system have recorded the overflight by two Turkish RF-4 spy planes of the British base of Akrotiri-Episkopi and then of the base of Paphos on 12 January 1998, violating Cypriot airspace for about one hour. Will the UK presidency of the Council say whether › and how › it intends to react if such acts of provocation are stepped up in future, especially against the background of the Cyprus-EU accession negotiations?