France and Turkey’s EU Bid

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Feb 18 2005

Many French are sceptical about Turkey’s EU bid according to a poll
by CSA published in Valeurs Actuelles.

57 per cent of respondents are opposed to the country’s entry into
the continental alliance, a seven per cent increase since December.

In December, the EU agreed to begin accession talks with Turkey on
Oct. 3, 2005. The EU with this decison confirmed that Turkey has
fulfiiled all the requirements for full-membership including
democratization, human rights contions and economy.

French President Jacques Chirac publicly supported the start of
accession talks between the EU and Turkey. However there is a strong
Armenian lobby group in France and the French Armenians strongly
oppose Turkey’s EU entry. Similarly the racist and anti-Muslim French
groups claim that Turkey is a Muslim country and there is no place in
the EU for the Muslims. Religionist groups in many European countries
defend that the EU is a civilasation project and Christianity is one
of the most important columns.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose Turkey’s accession into the European Union
(EU)?

Feb. 2005 Dec. 2004

Support 28% 37%

Oppose 57% 50%

No reply 15% 13%

Voting intention of respondents who intend to participate in the
European Constitution referendum

Yes No

Those who support
Turkey’s accession 72% 28%

Those against
Turkey’s accession 50% 50%

Source: CSA / Valeurs Actuelles
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 798 French adults, conducted on
Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, 2005.