91999E0805

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(6 April 1999)

Subject: UK funding of dam construction in Turkey

The UK authorities have approved funding for Turkish plans to build a series of dams on the rivers Tigris and Euphrates.

Given that:

(a) the joint management of water resources is highly important and that vital interests of the countries crossed by the two rivers are at stake,

(b) the construction of the dams will create a vast ecological disaster, thousands of the local population will be forced to abandon their homes, 15 towns and 52 villages with unique monuments will be submerged under water,

(c) Turkey is one of the few countries not to have signed the 1997 UN Convention on the settlement of border disputes between states sharing the same water resources,

(d) the Member States of the EU have signed the UN Convention on water resources and that, pursuant to Articles 130u(3) and 130v of the Treaty on European Union, the Community and the Member States must comply with the commitments and take account of the objectives they have approved in the context of the United Nations and other competent international organisations,

will the Commission say:

1. whether it considers that the manner in which Turkey is furthering this project fulfills the conditions laid down by the UN Convention on the joint management of water resources, regardless of the fact that Turkey has not signed the Convention, and

2. if not, what measures it will take, having due regard to the Articles of the Treaty on European Union, to prevent the UK from financing this project?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

As the Honourable Member says, Turkey has not signed the 1997 UN Convention referred to in his written question. Turkey cannot therefore be required to conform with its provisions.

Apart from this, the Community budget is not contributing to the project referred to by the Honourable Member. This being the case, the issue of UK funding for the project is a matter for the UK authorities.