§ Mr. ArbuthnotTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) administration of justice and (b) protection of the rights of overseas investors in Turkey. [158902]
§ Mr. MacShaneIn its push to open accession negotiations with the European Union, Turkey continues to make determined efforts to improve the business environment for its overseas investors. This includes legal measures to simplify procedures for foreign investors and institutional reform to strengthen the rule of law.
We are aware of a few specific cases where British investors have faced difficulties in Turkey and we have raised these with the Turkish authorities.
Recent developments in Turkey include: a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) law passed in 2003; efforts to set up an FDI promotion agency; and, on 15 March in Istanbul, an Investors Council, chaired by the World 1325W Bank and the IMF, to give leading foreign investors in Turkey an opportunity to make recommendations to the Turkish authorities.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Turkish Government on the detention and imprisonment of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan. [159247]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe raised the subject of the detention of Mr. Ocalan with the Turkish State Minister responsible for Human Rights in February 1999 and sought assurances that he would receive a fair trial and that his physical safety would be assured. British embassy staff also attended the trial.
Regarding his on-going imprisonment, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 5 March 2004, Official Report, column 1192W.
We have not made representations to the Turkish Government regarding the imprisonment. We do, however, continue to monitor the situation closely, including through discussions with Mr. Ocalan's lawyer.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish Government on the case of the detention of Leyla Zana, a Kurdish member of the Turkish Parliament. [159250]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe regularly raise the case of Leyla Zana and her fellow DEP, MPs at Ministerial and official level. I underlined the importance of speeding up progress and ensuring impartiality with Foreign Minister Gul during my visit to Turkey in January 2004. Our Ambassador has also raised the case with Justice Minister Cicek. British embassy officials attend trial hearings and maintain close contact with Leyla Zana's lawyer, whom I also met.