TURKS LESS KEEN TO JOIN EU

The Media Line, NY
Oct 25 2006

More than a quarter of the Turkish population believes Turkey should
not enter the European Union, a recent public opinion poll suggests.

Only about 10 percent of the population felt the same way in a similar
poll conducted last year.

The survey was published in the Turkish newspaper Milliyet. It
questioned 2,408 people and was carried out in late September.

Anti-EU sentiments have increased since the poll was conducted due
to the law passed in the French parliament that outlaws denial of
the Turkish genocide against the Armenians in 1915.

Fewer than a third of the respondents thought Turkey must enter the
EU, compared to more than two thirds who espoused this opinion in a
similar poll conducted in 2004.

The survey also indicated that 78% of Turks had no confidence in
the EU.

Turkey began accession talks with the EU a year ago, negotiations that
are likely to last at least a decade. Ankara has come under pressure
for its sluggishness in incorporating reforms.