WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1270/98 by Freddy BLAK to the Commission. Prostitution in Ukraine
C 323/122 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 10. 98 Therapon, in which the church warden was savagely murdered, repeated attacks on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and an attack on the Church of the Annunciation on the island of Imbros. The perpetrators (gangs who also target Jewish cemeteries) are never arrested. Whenever the Council is asked a question on this subject, it answers in general terms full of pious intent. Will the Council say whether it will make specific representations to Turkey in regard to these acts of vandalism, particularly in view of its increasing interest in the European orientationí of that country? Answer (6 July 1998) The Council regrets the developments mentioned by the Honourable Member and is well aware that under the Treaty of Lausanne signed in July 1923, the Turkish Government undertook to grant full protection to churches, synagogues, cemeteries and other religious establishments of non-Moslem minorities. The Council wishes to emphasise yet again the importance it attaches to strengthening Turkeyís ties with the European Union, but it must also point out that if such ties are to be strengthened, Turkey must continue with the political and economic reforms it has embarked on, particularly in aligning its standards and practices in the field of human rights on those obtaining in the European Union. Although the particular cases referred to by the Honourable Member have not yet been raised by the Council, it will not fail to inform the Turkish authorities that it sets great store by the adequate protection of human rights. Cooperation in the field of human rights is a continuing feature of the dialogue with the Turkish Government and forms an integral part of the European strategy for Turkey. (98/C 323/187) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1270/98 by Freddy Blak (PSE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Prostitution in Ukraine Does the Commission have an overall view of how widespread the problem of prostitution is in Ukraine? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (20 May 1998) The Commission is aware of the problem of organised prostitution in Ukraine. It welcomed the Ukrainian Parliamentís adoption on 13 April 1998 of a law prohibiting prostitution networks of Ukrainian women in Europe and the Middle East. There is also an EU-US joint programme covering Ukraine and Poland which fights prostitution. The programme is implemented by the International Migration Organisation. Initial results are expected in mid-1998. (98/C 323/188) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1281/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Destruction of graves in Greek cemetery in Istanbul In the early light of 30 March 1998, vandals destroyed 51 graves in the Greek cemetery of Ayios Eleftherios at Tataoula in Istanbul. Acts such as these have been perpetrated countless times and their constant repetition is