Sharp decline in Turkish EU support 

According to the poll published on 24 October in the newspaper Miliyet, only 32% thought that Turkey “must certainly enter the EU” compared to 67% in 2004.

The number of eurosceptics is more than twofold. 25% of those asked said that Turkey “should certainly not enter the EU”, when only 10% thought so when Turkey entered negotiations in 2005.

These negative results come as negotiations between the EU and Turkey are at a critical stage due to the unresolved Cyprus issue and a slowdown in reform. The Commission’s progress report on Turkey is due on 8 November 2006. There is a risk that the document might conclude a slowdown in the reform process and shortcomings on Turkey’s treaty obligations, if there is no further progress.