Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

Greek Cypriots don’t want Turkey in EU

Saturday, March 19, 2005



ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

  A public opinion survey conducted on the Greek part of the divided island of Cyprus reflects the pessimism of the Greek Cypriots about reaching a resolution to the decades-long Cyprus dispute. It also revealed that the majority of Greek Cypriots are against Turkey's European Union membership, reported the Anatolia news agency.

  The survey conducted by RAI Consultants based in Greek Cyprus between Nov. 29 and Dec. 17 -- the date when the European Council set Oct. 3 as the date for starting accession talks between Turkey and the European Union -- revealed that 74 percent of Greek Cypriots believe the Greek Cypriot administration should veto Turkey's EU entry, while 75 percent believe that Turkey's entry to the EU as a full member should be limited by derogations.

  A majority of Greek Cypriots have a cynical view of Greek Cyprus' EU membership, which became a fact in May of last year. The survey shows that only 38 percent believe they have gained advantages by joining the EU.

  Turkish troop's withdrawal is considered by Greek Cypriots as a prior condition for reaching a resolution on the Cyprus dispute. Yet 58 percent of Greek Cypriots believe ?living with Turkish Cypriots might not be problematic.?

[cannedmoose]

Rather than have it filtered through TDN, here's the summary from RAI directly...

"In this year’s Cyprobarometer (2004) the respondents were asked to state whether Cyprus should or not support Turkey’s course of entering in the EU. Six out of ten Cypriots (60%) disagrees with Cyprus supporting Turkey’s course while 35% of the respondents agree.

The majority of the people that participated in the survey (75%) notify that Turkey should join the EU as a member with restrictions. With that opinion agree the respondents of the higher social-economic class A-B and C1 (78% and 76% respectively). On the contrary, the respondents over 55 years old (25%) as well as the citizens of Limassol district (25%)
state that Turkey should join EU as a full right member.

Next the respondents were asked to answer whether Cyprus should or shouldn’t practice it’s right of veto for Turkey’s initiation of entering talks. Three out of four Cypriots (74%) agree that Cyprus should practice it’s right of veto, whereas 15% of the respondents disagree.

Noticeably pessimistic is this year’s public opinion regarding to whether there will be a solution to the Cyprus problem soon. Almost only one out of four of the respondents (23%) appear to be positive about the solution, while the others (68%) appear pessimistic.

40% of the participants state as the first necessary assumption for the solution of Cyprus problem the Turkish troops withdrawal. One out of four Cypriots ask for security guaranties as well as the removal of all the Turkish settlers (26% and 25% respectively). Return of the refugees and their properties is considered an assumption for the solution of the
Cyprus problem by the 17% and the 11% of the respondents, respectively.

The responders were asked to express their opinion on whether they consider the cohabitation of the Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots in the case of a solution to the Cyprus problem easy or not. It is obvious that the opening of the barricades and the free movement of the Greek-Cypriots to the occupied areas affects to a great extent the public opinion as far as cohabitation is concerned in relation to 2002.

Specifically, 58% of the respondents believe that the cohabitation with the Turkish Cypriots will be easy. The respective ratio last year was 52% while in 2002 was 45%. The percentage of the respondents that believe that the cohabitation with the Turkish Cypriots is going to be difficult remains the same as last year (40% and 42% respectively). In the question whether they have visited the occupied areas one out of two respondents answered in a positive way.

Correspondingly, the weighted average of the people that visited the occupied areas was doubled from 1.2 times in 2003 in 3.6 times this year (2004). The majority of the participants in the survey (68%) have visited the occupied areas 1-2 times, unlike the Cyprobarometer of 2003 where 35% stated that went to the occupied areas 1-2 times. Those who had visited the occupied areas were asked to mention when was the last time they have done so. A percentage of 3% said that they have visited these areas for the last time in 2002, 32% in 2003 and 57% in 2004. Almost
only two out of five Cypriots (37%) that have visited the occupied areas state that are planning to do that again, in contrast with the Cyprobarometer 2003, where percentage of 47% of the respondents expressed the intension to visit the occupied areas again.

Those who said that they had visited the occupied areas but do not plan to do so again were asked for the reasons that let them to decide not to. Approximately one out of three (30%) said that this was due to psychological reasons (sadness, bitterness, disappointment), 10% said that they will go again when there is a solution, 13% went there for various reasons and they just don’t plan to go again, 9% said that nothing is the same since there is picture of destruction and they don’t want to see the Turks living in their properties, 7% that they don’t want to show their passport, and 6% state that felt like aliens in their own homes and with if they go there again they will tone economically the so called Republic of Northern Cyprus.

All those that had not visited the occupied areas gave their reasons for not having done so. One out of four (27%) said that one of the reasons is that they have to show their passports. Furthermore 21% prefers to visit the area once there is a solution, and when it is freed. A percentage of 8% give as a reason the lack of safety, while 5% of the respondents say
that if they go there they will fell like recognizing the illegal nation and that they don’t like paying in order to see their properties. Finally, 4% said that they are no refugees and that’s why they didn’t visit the occupied areas for and sentimental reasons."

http://www.rai.com.cy/news/ExecutiveSum ... G-2004.pdf

[brother]

That was very interesting moosey thanks for the full report.

[cannedmoose]

That was very interesting moosey thanks for the full report.

No probs bro

[Agios Amvrosios]

I want Turkey and the TC in Europe. I want them to become civilised participants with a European mind-set.

There should be no restrictions on there movement within Europe. I want them to experience democracy.

[insan]

I want Turkey and the TC in Europe. I want them to become civilised participants with a European mind-set.

There should be no restrictions on there movement within Europe. I want them to experience democracy.

First you learn civilisation before preaching to us. You think you are the 8th wonder of the world sent from sky by God.