Brussels, 5 January 2024
See question(s) :E-002876/2023
EN
E-002876/2023
Answer given by Mr Várhelyi
on behalf of the European Commission
(5.1.2024)
In the framework of the enlargement package and the annual report on Türkiye, the Commission extensively monitors and reports on freedom of thought, conscience and religion, on minority rights and on cultural rights.
In its recently adopted 2023 Report on Türkiye1, for instance, the Commission points out that no steps have been taken to address the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee’s grave concern about the potential impact of the Hagia Sophia’s status change into a mosque on the outstanding universal value of the monument. These issues are also raised in the relevant sectoral sub-committee under the EU–Turkey Association Agreement.
On good neighbourly relations, the 2023 Report on Türkiye details developments on the Cyprus issue and on relations between Greece and Türkiye. As highlighted by the Council Conclusions of December 2022 and the European Council Conclusions of June 2022 and stemming from obligations under the Negotiating Framework2, Türkiye is expected to make an unequivocal commitment to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and the peaceful settlement of disputes having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice.
Türkiye must avoid threats and actions that damage good neighbourly relations and normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. It must also respect the sovereignty of all EU Member States over their territorial sea and airspace as well as all their sovereign rights, including inter alia the right to explore and exploit natural resources in accordance with EU and international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
1 SWD(2023) 696 final.
2 https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/turkey-negotiating-framework-october-2005_en