§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government plan to take to encourage the Government of Turkey to release Melek Akyol and Soner Onder. [14787]
§ Mr. David DavisOur officials in Ankara raised Mr. Onder's case with the Turkish authorities before his trial, and reminded them of the widespread concern about his sentence. We last raised the case of Melek Akyol in September 1996. We will continue to monitor both cases.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account Her Majesty's Government will take of the Turkish Government's treatment of its Christian minorities, with special reference to Syriacs and Armenians, in assessing its policy on Turkey's admission into the European Union. [14788]
§ Mr. DavisThe broad criteria for membership of the European Union were set out in the Copenhagen conclusions of 1993. They include the
stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities".All countries wishing to join the EU, including Turkey, will need to meet these criteria.