Turkey's provocative attitude in the case involving two Greek soldiers

6.3.2018

Question for written answer P-001411-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (PPE)

Last Thursday, 1 March 2018, two Greek soldiers were arrested on the Greek-Turkish border in the Evros area by Turkish military forces for illegally entering Turkish territory.

However, this case is rapidly turning into a crisis, as the matter has not been resolved through administrative channels, as has happened repeatedly in the past. The two Greek soldiers have been imprisoned in high security prisons and the outcome is uncertain, as the Turkish authorities have rejected a request for their release.

Given that, using the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016 as a pretext, the Turkish government is still imposing a state of emergency two years later, thereby legitimising any move to abolish the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights, which unquestionably constitute not only the essence of democracy but also the cornerstone of the EU, can the Commission say:

Does it believe that the way in which Turkey has handled the case so far is in line with good neighbourly relations, which Turkey as a candidate country is bound to respect?

Given that the case concerns an EU Member State and the borders of the EU, does it intend to intervene to secure the immediate return of the Greek soldiers, as good neighbourly relations and mutual respect would require?