31 Amendments of Željana ZOVKO related to 2019/2176(INI)
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the UNESCO statement of 10 July 2020 on Hagia Sophia,
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
- having regard the joint letter of 17 June 2020 by 91 Members of the European Parliament to the Director- General of UNESCO and European High Representative Josep Borrell to express their concerns about the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 c (new)
Citation 9 c (new)
- having regard to Resolution 1625(2008) of the Council of Europe regarding property and inheritance rights of the Greek Orthodox population and its foundations on the islands of Gökçeada (Imbros) and Bozcaada (Tenedos),
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 d (new)
Citation 9 d (new)
- having regard to Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which states that the contracting parties undertake to abide by the final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in any case to which they are parties, and, therefore, to the obligation of Turkey to implement all judgements of the ECtHR,
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
- having regard to the opinions of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, in particular those of 10-11 March 2017 on the amendments to the constitution to be submitted to a national referendum, on the measures provided for in the recent Emergency Decree-Laws with respect to freedom of the media, and on the duties, competences and functioning of the criminal peace judgeships, of 6-7 October 2017 on the provisions of Decree-Law No 674 concerning the exercise of local democracy, of 9-10 December 2016 on Emergency Decree-Laws No 667-676 adopted following the failed coup of 15 July 2016, and of 14-15 October 2016 on the suspension of the second paragraph of Article 83 of the Constitution, focusing on parliamentary inviolability,
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas being a candidate country presumes a willingness to progressively approach in all aspects the values, interests, standards and policies of the EUand align itself in all aspects with the common European values and principles, foreign and security interests, democratic, human rights and rule of law standards and policies of the EU as enshrined in the treaties; reiterates that respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, including the separation of powers, democracy, freedom of expression and the media, human rights, the rights of minorities and religious freedom, freedom of association and the right to peaceful protest, the fight against corruption and the fight against racism and discrimination against vulnerable groups are at the core of the negotiation process;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas an analysis of the Commission’s reports on Turkey since 2014 and, in particular, the 2019 and 2020 reports, reveals that Turkey has increasingly and rapidly distanced itself from the EU’s values and its normative framework expected from the candidate country;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, in spite of this principled stance by Parliament and all of the current circumstances, the European Council, in its conclusions of 1 October 2020, offered Turkey a renewed and broad positive agenda, provided that constructive efforts are sustained, mutual concessions are made and tensions are lowered in a further attempt to restore our relations;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Turkey currently hosts some 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees along with close to 370,000 persons of concern from other nationalities;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with great concern that Turkey’s continuous and growing distancing from European values and standardsbacksliding in the rule of law and fundamental rights have resulted in significant disengagement from European values and standards, and that this, together with Turkey's unilateral actions in the Eastern Mediterranean against EU Member States Greece and Cyprus, has brought EU-Turkey relations to a historical low point, having deteriorated to such an extent that it requires both parties to profoundly reassess the current framework of relations;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned that, over the years, the lack of progress in Turkey’s convergence has now transformed into a full withdrawal, marked by a stark regression in three main areas: backsliding on the rule of law and fundamental rights, adopting regressive institutional reforms and pursuing a confrontational foreignand aggressive regional policy; is further concerned by the fact that this regression has increasingly been accompanied by an explicit anti-EU narrative; calls, in this context, on Turkey to reassess the sincerity of its commitment to the EU path and growing nationalism based on imperial and colonial past; calls, in this context, on Turkey to reverse this disappointing course and to reassess the sincerity of its commitment to the closer relations and alignment with the European Union, as an indispensable component of the viability of the entire accession process;
Amendment 180 #
6. Regrets the current lack of understanding between the EU and Turkey, but reaffirms its firm conviction that Turkey is a strategic neighbour and ally with which the EU wishes to have the best possible relation, partner country and a regional power with which the EU wishes to have good and friendly relations based on mutual respect in accordance with international law and established multilateral practices;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Expresses its will to strengthen and deepen mutual knowledge and understanding between Turkish and European societies, combating all manifestations of social, religious or cultural prejudice; strongly reiterates that the European Union and its Member States are first and foremost a friend and partner of Turkey and the Turkish people with whom Europe shares deep commercial, cultural and historical links made over the last centuries; expresses its full commitment to continue supporting Turkey’s independent civil society in whatever circumstances and framework of relations that the future may bring; believes, nevertheless, that the accession process would still be the most powerful tool to exercise normative pressure on the Turkish government and the best framework to sustain the democratic and pro-European aspirations of Turkish society; stresses that a purely transactional relationship will hardly contribute to the advancement of Turkey towards a more democratic model;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with deep concern that, despite the formal lifting of the state of emergency in July 2018, its impact on democracy and fundamental rights continues to be strongly felt, especially after the introduction of presidential system and constitutional changes;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Deeply regrets that this repressive form of rule has now become a deliberate, relentless, systematic state policy, which extends to any critical activities, such as opposition, civic or minority gatherings, Kurdish activism, or even to events that took place prior to the attempted coup, such as the Gezi protests;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is deeply concerned about the constant attacks and, pressure on theand hindering with the work of opposition parties, which undermines the proper functioning of a pluralist democratic system; calls on the main Turkish opposition parties to continue their democratic and parliamentary efforts in promoting European path within the laws and the Constitution of Turkey;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Commends the existence of a vibrant, plural, engaged and heterogeneous civil society in Turkey, in spite of the massive political crackdown, as it represents one of the few remaining checks on the Turkish Government; calls on the High Representative and the Commission to continue supporting Turkish civil society through the financial instruments, including the Instrument for Pre- accession assistance;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Remains deeply concerned by the situation in the south-east of Turkey with regard to the protection of human rights, political participation and the freedom of expression and political participationreligious and belief;
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Notes with great concern and expresses deep regret about the decision of the Turkish authorities, taken without prior dialogue, to modify the status of the Hagia Sophia from museum to a mosque; reminds that Hagia Sophia is a place of worship open for all communities and religions and calls upon UNESCO for proper actions in order to safeguard this World Heritage Site, to protect international agreements, including the UNESCO framework and to uphold core European values and principles;
Amendment 428 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Is alarmed by the consolidation of an authoritarian interpretation of the presidential system; is deeply concerned about the continued hyper-centralisation of power in the Presidency, which does not ensure a sound and effective separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches and the judiciary; in this respect notes the concern raised regarding the separation of powers by the Venice Commission in its opinion on the Amendments to the Constitution of Turkey;
Amendment 437 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Is concerned about the ever more frequent use of a hyper-nationalist and neo- ottoman narrative among the ruling elite that increasingly gives rise to antagonistic approaches towards the EU or its Member States and neighbouring countries in the region; is concerned about the increasing clout of religious conservatism in political life;
Amendment 458 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Strongly condemns the removal of democratically elected mayors from office on the basis of questionable evidence and, in particular, their arbitrary replacement by unelected trustees appointed by the central government; notes that most of these deposed mayors come from the Kurdish or national minority areas in the southeast of the country; strongly believes these unlawful decisions constitute a direct attack on the most basic principles of democracy, depriving millions of voters of their democratically elected representation;
Amendment 480 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Recalls the laudable role played by Turkey in responding to the migration crisis resulting from the war in Syria and notes that Turkey currently host almost 4 million refugees in its territory; takes the view that the EU should continue to give the necessary support to Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey; supports an objective assessment of the EU-Turkey Statement and underlines the importance of both parties’ compliance with their respective commitments;
Amendment 544 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is deeply concerned by the Turkish actions and aggressive behaviour in the ongoing dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean and the related risk of a military escalation; condemns Turkey’s illegal activities in Greek and Cypriot waters, which violate both the sovereign rights of EU Member States and international law; expresses its unwavering support and full solidarity with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus; urges Turkey to return to the negotiation table and engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes via high level diplomacy and to refrain from any unilateral and illegal action or threats;
Amendment 565 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Condemns the partial reopening of Varosha beach in city of Famagusta, which undermines mutual trust and therefore the prospect of the resumption of direct talksalogue on the comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue; calls on Turkey to reverse this action; reiterates its supportunilateral action that violates United Nations Security Council resolution 550 and resolution 789; reiterates its support for the Republic of Cyprus and for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of mutual agreement on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality;
Amendment 585 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Strongly condemns the Turkish military interventions in Syria, especially in the northeast and Idlib, which constitute grave violations of international law; reminds that Turkish incursion in the north-eastern Syria has displaced more than 200,000 persons, including large numbers of Syriac and Assyrian Christians; calls on Turkish authorities to create conditions and allow displaced communities to return to their homes;
Amendment 607 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on Turkey to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Libya under the auspices of the UN, and to fully adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council; commends the work of Operation Irini and its efforts to uphold mandated arms embargo and prevent human and drug trafficking;
Amendment 615 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Regrets Turkey's involvement in the Libyan Civil War and its decision to deploy troops, as well as Syrian mercenaries, without international sanctioned mandate; deplores the unilateral decision of Turkey and the Libyan Government of National Accord to sign and implement a Maritime Boundary Treaty that infringes upon the sovereign rights of the EU Member States Greece and Cyprus, and does not comply with International Law;
Amendment 622 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets that, rather than calling for an end to the violence and for a resumption of peaceful negotiations supporting the efforts of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, Turkey instead decided, without the consultation with international actors, to unconditionally support and sustain the military actions of one of the sides in the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh; calls on Turkey to refrain from further unilateral actions and to support international dialogue and the peace process under the auspices of OSCE Minsk Group;
Amendment 655 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Believes that it is high time to review the EU’s relations with Turkey and to define a comprehensive, unified and coherent strategy for the medium to long term, among all EU institutions and Member States; calls on Turkey to reassess its assertive foreign policy, to cease unilateral actions and inflammatory statements and to find solutions via high level diplomacy in order to resolve issues and continue its European path;
Amendment 678 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Takes the view that enhancing communication and dialogue at all levels are key to restoring mutual trust between the EU and Turkey; deplores the continuous and unjustified refusal of the Turkish side to reinstate the normal functioning of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee; notes that last EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) held its 78th meeting in Ankara on 19-20 December 2018, followed by a standstill in interparliamentary relations;