EC/Turkey relations: special financial cooperation measures

The EP adopted the report by Mr Konrad SCHWAIGER (PPE, D) on the special financial cooperation measure for Turkey. This special measure accompanies the customs union with Turkey. It aims, in particular, to provide Turkey with financial aid totalling ECU 375 million over a period of five years to begin in 1996. Other possibilities of aid are also available, particularly technical assistance. The rapporteur felt that this aid over five years was a sign of support for the efforts undertaken by the Turkish government to achieve the customs union under positive conditions. However, he also believed that the democratic clause included in the draft Council regulation should be strengthened and extended to include respect for the rule of law and the democratic right of expression of minorities. Moreover, he was in favour of the release and immediate use of the ECU 22 million envisaged for the 1996 financial year. For 1997 and subsequent years, the decision to release appropriations should be taken on the basis of an annual report from the Commission highlighting both the effectiveness of the projects and the progress made in the area of democratisation. �