Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Enlargement.

John Gormley

Question:

124 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the likely implications for Turkey's application for membership of the EU of the Turkish Government's continued resistance to Kurdistan's claims for autonomy; and if he will be raising the situation of Kurdistan Workers Party leader, Abdullah Ocalan, with his colleagues on the European Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers. [26498/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

On 12 November, Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, was arrested at Rome Airport on foot of international arrest warrants issued by Turkey and Germany. Mr. Ocalan requested political asylum in Italy. On 2 December, the Turkish Government requested the extradition of Mr. Ocalan to Turkey in connection with the PKK campaign of terrorism.

At a meeting of the General Affairs Council yesterday, my Italian colleague Foreign Minister Dini briefed us on this case. Both Mr. Oclan's application for political asylum and Turkey's request for his extradition are before the relevant authorities in Italy and decisions are awaited. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter pending the outcome of the deliberations of the competent Italian authorities.

The long standing conflict in Turkey has, as the Deputy is aware, resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 people over the last two decades and has brought hardship to the people of the region. Ireland, along with its European partners, has conveyed to the Turkish Government its view that a political solution should be found which will finally end this conflict. It has consistently been made clear to Turkey that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with due respect for human rights and the rule of law. The EU has also indicated that it upholds the territorial integrity of Turkey and condemns terrorism.

As regards the implications of the Ocalan case for Turkey's EU membership, the Deputy will be aware that the criteria for membership were laid down at the Copenhagen Summit and are applied fully to each prospective candidate for membership. The first of these criteria is that the applicant country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. The European Commission in a recent report found that Turkey did not meet this criterion.