Polls & Research

Turkish Grow Weary of EU Accession Process

- Adults in Turkey are dissatisfied with the state of negotiations with the European Union (EU), according to a poll by USAK. 70 per cent of respondents believe their government should suspend its accession talks in the event of continued pressure from the bloc on opening ports and airports.

In October 2005, the EU officially began accession talks with Turkey. On Oct. 16, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "We have some tensions in EU-Turkey relations, but we can't solve problems by dramatizing them. Instead, we have to work prudently and with full determination in order to find solutions."

The European Commission is scheduled to reveal its recommendations for Turkey in mid-December. One of the main sticking points has been Turkey's reluctance to open its ports and airports to vessels and planes from Greek Cyprus. 63 per cent of respondents believe Turkey and the EU will be unable to reach a compromise on the current row.

Cyprus has been split in two since 1974, when a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey. In the skirmish, the Turks gained control of almost two-fifths of the island, which in 1983 declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Greek Cyprus joined the EU in May 2004.

On Nov. 10, Northern Cyprus president Mehmet Ali Talat discussed the situation, saying, "The appropriate platform to solve this issue is the United Nations (UN). I do not think that the solution for Cyprus issue can be found by the (EU) summit of leaders in December."

Polling Data

Should Turkey suspend its accession talks with the European Union (EU) in the event of continued pressure from the bloc on opening ports and airports?

Do you think Turkey and the EU will reach a compromise on the row over ports and airports?