29th November 2011: Andrew Brons was very concerned when told that Turkish Officials were being signed up by the European Commission to help facilitate Turkey joining the European Union.

He sent in the following 'Question Requiring A Written Answer' to the Commission.

Question for written answer E-009479/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Andrew Henry William Brons (NI)
Subject: Secondment of Turkish officials to the Commission
On 28 September 2011, a memorandum of understanding was signed on the secondment of Turkish officials to the Commission.
1. Does not the Commission consider that a development of such sensitivity should have been discussed in Parliament?
2. Why is Turkey, via its officials, to be provided with the ability to initiate EU policy and legislation?
3. What oversight and influence will be given to those officials and in respect of which fields?
4. What are the yearly costs of this development?
5. Will the Commission let me inspect the terms of the contracts of engagement?

* There was a joint reply to similar questions from a number of MEPs from Greece and Cyprus.

Joint answer given by Mr Šefčovič
on behalf of the Commission
(28.11.2011)

The Memorandum of Understanding will not entail new or additional costs for the Commission.
The Commission informs the Honourable Members that it does not conclude "contracts" with the national experts since they remain employed by their national employer during the secondment.
The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Members that no Turkish SNEs will be recruited in the Turkey team of DG ELARG – nor in DG ELARG in general - in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest in accordance with the applicable Decision.