Info Turkey in the EU would be bridge to Islamic world : Schroeder Integrating Turkey into the European Union would be a historic opportunity to build a bridge to the Islamic world , German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Friday. European Union leaders will decide at a summit on December 16-17 whether to allow Turkey to begin membership talks to join the pact and Schroeder reiterated Germany s strong support for the predominantly Muslim nation of 72 million people. A democratic Turkey which makes a commitment to respect European values would be clear proof that there is no contradiction between the Muslim faith and a modern and enlightened society, Schroeder told a conference on European culture that was also attended by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.