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(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in six current European Union (EU) members are split on the prospect of Turkey joining the continental group, according to the Pew Global Attitudes Project. While more than half of all respondents in Spain, Britain and Poland support the idea, less than 45 per cent of respondents in the Netherlands, France and Germany concur.

In December, the EU agreed to begin accession talks with Turkey on Oct. 3. The country has been seeking inclusion for more than forty years, and filed a formal application to that effect in 1987. Since then, it has taken steps required only of members—including the establishment of a customs union—but was not accepted as a candidate state until 1999. 68 per cent of respondents in Turkey support accession.

In February 2004, German Christian-Democratic Union (CSU) leader Angela Merkel caused a row when she suggested that the EU should consider granting Turkey only a "privileged partnership" as opposed to full membership. The CDU has topped recent voting intention polls in Germany.

On May 26, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed any concern over a possible election victory for Germany's Christian Democrats, saying, "Turkey's relations are not with parties but with states. Words spoken in opposition are not always the same as what is done when one comes to power."

Polling Data

How do you feel about Turkey becoming a member of the European Union (EU)? Do you favour or oppose Turkey becoming a member of the EU?

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