92001E0045

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0045/01

by Christos Zacharakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 January 2001)

Subject: Kidnapping of a Greek Cypriot by Turkish Cypriots

On 13 December the Greek Cypriot building contractor, Mr Panikos Tziakourmas, was kidnapped while on the territory of the British bases on Cyprus. According to the report by the police of the British bases in Cyprus, he was seized by a group of unknown Turkish Cypriot men and then taken by force to the Turkish-occupied territory and abandoned, and one and a half kilos of cannabis was left next to him. Immediately after he was abandoned, the so-called Turkish Cypriot police arrived on the scene and arrested him for possession of drugs. Mr Tziakourmas has a spotless record and has employed Turkish Cypriot workers over the last decade.

Given that the kidnapping and illegal detention of Mr P. Tziakourmas are acts of terrorism and hostage-taking, and as such a violation of international law and of the European Convention on Human Rights, and given also the recent commitments made by Turkey to the European Union regarding democratisation and respect for human rights, the acquis communautaire and the principles of the rule of law, will the Commission say;

1. What measures does it intend to take to exert pressure on Turkey to release Mr P. Tziakourmas forthwith?

2. What effect will the this contentious action have on Turkey's bid to join the European Union and the funding the EU is due to provide to facilitate Turkish accession?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2001)

The Commission is aware of the circumstances concerning the detention of the Greek Cypriot building contractor Mr Panikos Tziakourmas on 13 December 2000. It appears that Mr Tziakourmas was abducted from the territory of the Eastern British Sovereign Base Area. As a result, the British Government has raised this incident with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community and with the authorities in Ankara. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The criteria for membership agreed by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 include the guaranteeing of the rule of law and of human rights. In this context Turkey's fulfilment of its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe is an important factor. The Commission monitors respect of these commitments by all candidate countries and regularly reports to the Parliament and to the Member States on developments in these areas.