(CPOD) Mar. 10, 2004 - Many Germans, whose country is a founding member of the European Union (EU), do not want Turkey to join the continental organization, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. Only 38 per cent of respondents support extending membership to Turkey, compared with 57 per cent who are opposed to the notion.

Turkey 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.

Angela Merkel, the leader of Germany's Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), caused a row last month when she suggested that the EU should consider granting Turkey only a "privileged partnership" as opposed to full membership. The CDU is now the top federal political organization in Germany, ahead of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The EU enforces strict limitations to trade barriers on transactions between member countries, with the intention of opening local markets to international competition. Germany is both Turkey's main export destination and origin of imports.

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