Latest developments in the East Mediterranean region

20.9.2011

Question for oral answer O-000207/2011
to the Commission
Rule 115
Georgios Koumoutsakos, Elmar Brok, Ioannis Kasoulides
on behalf of the PPE Group

In recent months we have been witnessing mounting tension in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Turkish-Israeli relations have been aggravated. Turkey has downgraded relations with Israel by suspending both military and commercial relations between the two countries and expelling Israel’s ambassador, his deputy and other senior Israeli diplomats from its territory as a reaction to Israel’s refusal to apologize or pay compensation for the nine Turkish activists who were shot dead by Israeli commandos on an aid convoy that was trying to bust Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza in 2010.

An additional factor in the tension in the region is the fact that Turkey refuses to accept that an EU Member State can exercise its lawful sovereign rights as provided for in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is part of the acquis communautaire. All EU Member States, the EU itself and all candidate countries but one are contracting parties thereto.

What adds to the concerns is the fact that the said refusal is accompanied by official press statements and declarations of threats involving forceful reactions – a military one not excluded – should such rights be exercised; that is to say, if the Republic of Cyprus carries out searches for oil and natural gas within its Exclusive Economic Zone, in partnership with international contractors. Inter alia, this project is a contribution to the strengthening of the EU’s energy security and differentiation of supply.

Having regard to the EU’s important role in a region so critical to regional and international security, the Commission is asked the following questions:

–     Is it concerned by the situation in the East Mediterranean region? What is the EEAS assessment? What are the conclusions it has come to?

–     What diplomatic action does the EU intend to take on the basis of compliance with International Law, and UNCLOS in particular, as well as on that of the principle of solidarity as provided for in the Lisbon Treaty?

–     What is the EU reaction to Turkey’s official statements on freezing contacts with the EU during Cyprus’s Presidency?

Tabled: 20.9.2011

Forwarded: 22.9.2011

Deadline for reply: 29.9.2011