WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2058/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Demographic composition of present-day Turkey
22. 1. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 21/137 Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to written question P-1940/97 from Mr Fernando Moriz (1). The report mentioned can in no way be considered an official document of the Commission. (1) OJ C 373, 9. 12. 1997. (98/C 21/256) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2056/97 by Frode Kristoffersen (PPE) to the Commission (16 June 1997) Subject: Ethnic minorities Since, when new Member States are accepted into the EU, the quality of the rules they have adopted to benefit ethnic minorities are to be given proper consideration, will both the representatives of the ethnic minorities in person and non-governmental organizations such as the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) also be actively involved in the assessment process? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1997) In order to assess › in keeping with the political criteria laid down by the 1993 Copenhagen European Council › the situation of minorities and the protection granted to them by countries which have applied to accede to the EU, the Commission has read reports from several non-governmental organisations which will be of great use to it in preparing the opinions which it has to deliver pursuant to Article O of the Treaty on European Union on the applications for membership from the countries in question. The Commission has not been acquainted, however, with the position of the federation referred to by the Honourable Member. (98/C 21/257) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2058/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (16 June 1997) Subject: Demographic composition of present-day Turkey The prestigious German University of Tu¤bingen has published a report stating that Anatolia is populated by over a hundred indigenous peoples, and that citizens of Turkish extraction very likely constitute only a marginal minority. It is also generally recognised that there are innumerable ácrypto-Christiansí on Turkish territory, who are reluctant openly to declare their ethnic origin and faith for fear of the treatment they may receive at the hands of the Turkish authorities. Moreover, information about the precise number of Kurds living in Turkey is confused, with estimates varying between eight and twenty million. Will the Commission say whether it has raised › or intends to raise in future › with the Turkish authorities the question of establishing a precise and objective register of the demographic composition of present-day Turkey, given the intention of both sides (the EU and Turkey) to incorporate this country in the European project, an objective that can be attained only if the cultural identity of all ethnic groups living in this country is fully and devoutly respected?