Ratification and implementation of Ankara Protocol by Turkey

29.5.2006

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2466/06
by Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission

According to recent press reports, the Turkish Government is considering referring the question of ratification of the Ankara Protocol to international arbitration. In the light of the fact that the ratification and full implementation of the Protocol is incumbent on Turkey as an applicant country for accession, such a development would constitute a serious precedent as regards immediate compliance with obligations on the part of applicant countries, which would have unforeseeable implications for European law and the Community acquis, whilst altering the nature and the substance of the problem created by Turkey's conduct on this particular matter.

What are the Commission's views on this matter? How will it respond if Turkey actually goes ahead with the referral? What measures will it take to secure Turkey's compliance with its obligations as an applicant country for accession and will the accession negotiations continue if a possible arbitration ruling tends towards the Turkish view, which would, however, be contrary to European law and the European acquis?

OJ C 328, 30/12/2006