Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee

The website of the Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/delegations/homeDel.do?language=PL&body=D-TR

I. What do the delegations serve for?

maintain and develop the EP’s international contact;
enhance existing partnerships with traditional partners;
deepen newly founded partnerships;
enhance international parliamentary diplomacy and foster the parliamentary dimension of international relations;
through partnerships help to contribute to the promotion of the values which the EU is founded on: principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of law (see Art. 6 and Art. 11(1) of the EU Treaty);
provide an added value to the work of parliamentary committees dealing with foreign relations such as the AFET, DEVE and INTA committees and ensure a coherent approach of the EP;
provide first hand expertise based on direct contacts on the ground to improve our knowledge of different countries and regions covered by the delegations;
follow closely the political and economic developments in these countries and regions, by seeking close cooperation with e.g. Commission’s desk officers responsible, experts, representative of civil society, etc.;
formulate recommendations to be sent to the EU’s appropriate political bodies, e.g. Association Council;
take the initiative for EP urgency resolutions whenever necessary;
engage in a dialogue with political forces close to our political family.

II. What is the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the activities of the interparliamentary delegations?

Stronger EP = Stronger Delegations

EP has gained new competences in EU policy making:

EP’s role as co-legislator is fully recognised ? The EP acquires powers of co-decision, which is elevated to the rank of the “ordinary legislative procedure (OLP)”, in virtually all areas of European Union policy;
In parallel, in the field of external relations, the consent of the EP is required for the approval of a wide range of international agreements signed by the Union;
Parliament’s role in the area of common trade policy is also enhanced: co-decision/OLP will be used to lay down measures implementing this policy and Parliament will receive regular reports on negotiations on international agreements, which may not be concluded without its consent;
In the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the EP acquires a general right to be informed and consulted, to exercise scrutiny (the High Representative of the Union as a member of the Commission must undergo the same investiture procedure in the EP as any other commissioner) and to adopt the CFSP budget;
Its budgetary powers, which it shares with the Council on equal footing, are now extended to all Union expenditure ? The EP is also granted the right of consent to the legally binding multiannual financial framework;
EP was closely involved in the creation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), which is one of the most significant changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, by introducing amendments which proved to be essential to reinforce the democratic accountability of this new instrument and ensured that the new service will contribute to increasing the efficiency and coherence of the EU’s external action as well as the EU’s influence on the world as a global player.

All these competences reinforce the role of the interparliamentary delegations as an instrument of parliamentary diplomacy, and strengthen their potential to positively influence our relations with third countries on both the bilateral and multilateral levels, in all main areas of cooperation.

III. What types of delegations exist?

1. Interparliamentary Delegations:

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

established with candidate countries or countries that signed an Association Agreement with the EU (Art. 203 of the Lisbon Treaty);
composed by an equal number of members from both the European Parliament and the respective partner parliament(s) (principle of parity);
in case of candidate countries the JPC assesses the progress towards accession;
it may formulate recommendations to the Association Council, and to the committee responsible in the European Parliament;
examples: Croatia & FYROM (EU candidates); Mexico & Chile (under the Association Agreements).

Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC)

set up with those Balkan countries where the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) entered into force – e.g. Albania and Montenegro.

Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC)

established with countries that signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the EU, examples: Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan etc.;
follows the implementation of the PCA;
submits recommendations to the Cooperation Council (consists of representatives of the Council, the European Commission and the Foreign Ministry of the respective country).

Interparliamentary Delegation/Meetings (IPM)

established on a proposal by the Conference of Presidents (Rule 198), which also decides on the nature and number of members;
examples: Iran, Iraq, Japan, China, India;
special case:

1. IPM with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP): members representing the EP shall come from the Mashreq, Maghreb, ACP and South Africa Delegation

2. Delegations to Parliamentary Assemblies:

African Caribbean Pacific – European Union (ACP-EU)

brings together MEPs with parliamentarians from the ACP countries that have signed the Cotonou Agreement;
composed of an equal number of MEPs and ACP representatives (each 78);
meets twice a year in a plenary session to exchange views on promoting human rights and democracy.

Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT)

the parliamentary institution of the Bi-regional Strategic Association established in the context of the EU-LAC (Latin and Caribbean) Summits;
adopts and submits resolutions and recommendations to various organisations, institutions, ministerial groups, etc.;
composed of MEPs and Members of the partner organisations: Parlatino (Latin American Parliament), Parlandino (Andean Parliament), Parlacen (Central American Parliament), and Parlasur (Mercosur Parliament), and the Mexican and Chilean congresses;
made up by an equal number of MEPs (75) and representatives from the partner parliaments (75) ? 150 members in total.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM)

parliamentary expression of the Union for the Mediterranean;
provide parliamentary impetus as well as substantive input and support for the consolidation and development of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership;
expresses its views on e.g. association agreements;
adopts resolutions and recommendations to the Euro-Mediterranean Conference;
unlike all other assemblies, representatives are not only MEPs (45) and members of the partner parliaments (120), but also MPs from national EU parliaments (75) ? a total of 240 members – principle of parity.

EU Neighbourhood EAST Parliamentary Assembly (EURONEST)

still in the process of setting-up – pending on the issue of Belarusian participation;
aims to intensify relations between the EU and the countries of Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus;
provide a parliamentary dimension to the countries covered by the EU Eastern Partnership;
composed of an equal number of MEPs (60) and representatives from the six partner parliaments, which each shall have 10 seats.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly

members representing the EP shall come from the AFET committee and SEDE sub-committee.

3. Ad Hoc Delegations

created in response to unforeseen events of major political significance;
composed of seven members appointed by the political groups in accordance with the rolling d’Hondt system.

4. Other missions

Election Observation Mission (EOM):

on the basis of a request by the Election Coordination Group, the EP’s Conference of Presidents authorises an EOM;
the Election Coordination Group is co-chaired by the Chairs of the AFET and DEVE committees;
the Election Coordination Group examines all general questions related to planning, organisation, evaluation and follow-up of the EP’s EOMs;
the composition of EOMs is based on the rolling d’Hondt system.

Delegation for relations with Turkey (JPC)

Population: 77.8 mio.
Size: 783,562 sq km
GDP: $880 bio.
GDP per capita: $12,500
Religions: Muslim 99.8%
Cities: Ankara (cap), Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa

EPP Group Adviser: Jan-Willem Vlasman

Background:
Turkey, the successor of the Ottoman Empire, has a long and rich history. As a bridge between Europe and Asia, Turkey has always been in a distinct historical and geopolitical position. In 2005 EU accession negotiations were opened and are still ongoing. Until today, discussions continue inside the EU and Turkey as to whether Turkey can one day become a full EU member. Given its sheer size, high population and enormous regional divergences in terms of economic development, doubts are expressed by certain participants in the discussion. Through its geographical position, Turkey is a crucial actor in many key topics of international politics, such as the Middle East, the Caucasus, energy security and the Iranian nuclear programme. Within Turkey, religious communities still face problems and this is also the case for minorities, such as the Kurds. Turkey continues to have a difficult relationship with the Republic of Cyprus, which it still refuses to recognise, and Greece, with whom it shares a historically charged relationship.

In a referendum held in September 2010 a package of constitutional amendments was supported by the majority of voters. Important elements of this package were the increase of powers for the president and the parliament regarding the nominations of senior judges and prosecutors, and the limitations put on the competence of the military.

EU-Turkey Relations:
EU-Turkey relations date back to 1963 when an Association Agreement was signed. Since 1995 the EU and Turkey form a Customs Union and in 1999 Turkey was granted EU candidate status. The EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meets regularly and serves as a platform for discussion.

There is certain sensitivity about the accession negotiations with Turkey. While some EU Member States have reservations about a full Turkish membership, they all agree that relations with Turkey are of high importance and that close cooperation is necessary. There is a belief that Turkey can serve as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East and that strong relations could send a message to the Muslim world that dialogue and peaceful cooperation is possible. Therefore, EU-membership for Turkey has been advocated by various Member States. There are concerns however among others that a Turkish accession could have serious consequences for the EU institutions, both in financial and administrative terms. Negotiation chapters can only be opened and closed after a unanimous Council decision. The negotiations are affected by Turkey’s lack of implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement, which became necessary in order to adapt to the 2004 EU enlargement.

EPP Group position:
The EPP Group is in favour of strong relations with Turkey and supports its reform process. Turkey is a key regional actor and is a major trading partner of the EU. The EPP Group welcomes the progress made in Turkey, but stresses that further reforms are needed, in particular as regards the rule of law and human rights. The negotiations are an open-ended process. The Copenhagen political criteria have to be respected and the integration capacity of the EU must be taken into consideration. Turkey has to recognise the Republic of Cyprus and fully implement the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement.

Useful contacts:
EU Delegation to Turkey www.avrupa.info.tr
Turkish Mission to the EU www.ab.dt.mfa.gov.tr

Delegation for relations with Japan (IPM)

Population: 127 mio.
Country comparison to the world 10
Size: 377,915 sq km
Country comparison to the world 61
GDP: $4.1 trillion
Country comparison to the world 4
GDP per capita: $33,478
Religions: Shinto 83.9%, Buddhist 71.4% (most belong to both religions), Christian 2%
Cities: Tokyo (cap), Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Saitama, Hiroshima

EPP Adviser: Ana Fernández Perles

Background:
As one of the strongest economic performers worldwide, and as one of the major Asian democracies, Japan is one of the key global players and a regional heavyweight in Asia. Since the defeat in WW2 Japan has followed a consecutive path of democratisation, economic development and support for human rights. As the only country to have suffered from nuclear attacks, Japan has a special moral interest in the abolishment and reduction of nuclear arms worldwide. In this context Japan is a strong supporter of multilateralism and is striving to gain a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Due to the very complicated geopolitical situation after WW2 and Japan’s colonial past, relations with its neighbours continue to be historically charged. In this context it has to be noted that territorial disputes with China, Russia, Taiwan and South Korea persist. Often these disputes are linked to the exploitation of natural resources. During the colonial rule Japan had annexed a variety of islands, such as the Senkaku Islands (also known as Diaoyu Islands) near Taiwan and Okinawa. After the end of the Japanese colonial rule questions about their sovereignty arose. Similarly, after the surrender of Japan in WW2 the then Soviet Union seized the Kuril Islands (also known as Northern Territories), just north of Hokkaido. Diplomatic tensions with Russia increased in November 2010 when President Medvedev became the first Russian president to visit the islands. Until today, Japan continues to disagree with its neighbours on the status of the disputed territories.

Japan’s political scene is characterised by a common change of cabinets. Since 1947 over 30 prime minsters headed the political affairs of the country. 2009 saw a historic change, when the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who ruled almost without interruption for 54 years, was outvoted by the Democratic Party of Japan (SDJ).

EU-Japan Relations:
The EU relationship with Japan, founded on the 2001 Action Plan is characterised by both sides being advanced industrialised democracies which share many common interests and values. The scope of the overall relationship has broadened in recent years along the lines of the action plan and now goes far beyond the earlier trade-related focus of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Cooperation takes place at all levels culminating in the annual EU-Japan Summit meetings and covers foreign policy, economic and trade relations, as well as regional and global challenges. The EU and Japan actively participate in each other’s reform processes through the Regulatory Reform Dialogue. Furthermore, close cooperation exists on the international and multilateral fora such as the UN, WTO and the G8.

Regarding the territorial disputes between Japan and its neighbours the EU is supportive of peaceful and constructive negotiations. Regarding the Kuril Islands, in 2005 the EP called for the islands to be returned to Japan.

The EP delegation is one of the most ancient of the EP (1979). Therefore there is a close relationship between the Japanese Diet and the European Parliament, notably through its annual EU-Japan Inter-parliamentary Meeting (IPM). The year 2009, marked the 30th anniversary of the relations between our two democratic institutions.

The most recent visit took place in Brussels in June 2010 (31st IPM). Due to the close relations, topics on the agenda are very exhaustive, but historically focus on questions of trade and economic as well as monetary affairs. Issues such as environment (especially climate change), energy security and security matters were also on the common agenda.

A potential EU–Japan Free Trade Agreement is on the top of the agenda. The Japanese side, representing both the political and business environment, is very keen on signing a FTA with the EU as soon as possible and is seeking the EP’s support on this matter. The EP Delegation agrees that any option for the strengthening of economic integration between the EU and Japan would necessitate clear guarantees from Japan that it is committed to tackle Non Tariff Measures. On the four Non Tariff Measures identified, one has been recently solved (safety devices on automobiles) while discussions on the other three items (which concern transparency in public procurement, wood construction and medical devices standards) have not yet produced a satisfactory result. The EP Delegation will give its support once these obstacles, identified by the High Level Group – the body set up at the 2010 EU-Japan Summit to identify options for the strengthening of EU-Japan relations, are removed.

A hot topic raised at the EP Delegation is the state of play of Japan–China relations. The tensions between the two states came to a head in September 2010 due to an incident near the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese interlocutors made clear that their interest is to normalise relations and that they will continue to work on this even though a recent Japan–China Summit had been cancelled. They emphasised that the economic relations with China are indispensable for Japan. The discussions on Japan–Russia relations are taking place in the context of the unexpected visit of Russian President Medvedev to the Kuril Islands in early November 2010. The Japanese PM Kan termed the visit as “regrettable”. The bilateral relations with China and Russia will continue to be an issue on the agenda of the Delegation.

EPP Group position:
The EPP highly values the traditional partnership with Japan. We share many common values, such as the respect for human rights, democracy as well as our belief on effective multilateralism. The EPP attaches great importance to a further deepening of our cooperation and friendship with Japan. In this light the EPP is committed to further explore the opportunities of an increased economic partnership.

Useful contacts:
EU Delegation to Japan www.deljpn.ec.europa.eu
Japanese Mission to the EU www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp; Tel: +32.2.500.77.11
Konrad Adenauer Foundation www.kas.de/proj/home/home/131/2; Tel. +81-3-4590-9857
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) www.jimin.jp/jimin/english
Democratic Party of Japan www.dpj.or.jp/english

Jarosław Wałęsa