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60% of Greek Cypriots back right of veto

By Annie Charalambous

MORE THAN 60% of Greek Cypriots support the right of Cyprus to veto Turkey’s accession negotiation date, according to two separate polls released this week.

Both phone surveys also indicate that even though most people don’t want Turkey to join the European family, they believe this - nonetheless - will happen.

Yesterday’s survey by the College of Tourism shows that 63% of Greek Cypriots are against Turkey getting a date, compared to 62% in a Simerini poll published on Wednesday.

The College’s poll was carried out by Insights Market Research Ltd between November 13 and 15, using a random sample of 1057 people.

It also shows that 75% of veto supporters are aged between 18 and 24, 71% are residents of Nicosia, 69% hold college or university degrees and 67% are women.

"The three top reasons why Greek Cypriots want to deny a date to Turkey are, firstly, because they want to punish it for the Cyprus problem, secondly, because it does not meet EU criteria and thirdly, because it is not a European country," the College’s Craig Webster told journalists.

Not civilised

Other reasons given were "poor human rights", "poor country", "lack of trust", and "Not civilised".

"However, there are almost no overt anti-Turkish or anti-Muslim sentiments...What’s also very interesting in this survey is that there are no major differences between refugees and non-refugees on the issues," he said.

Webster also underlined the fact that young people were more likely to be against Turkey in the EU, and that males tend to have more favourable views on Ankara’s eventual membership.

"There are major generational differences on these political issues, but there are also gender differences," he said.

Simerini’s poll - conducted by Cyprus College’s Research Centre between November 19-22 using a random sample of 749 people, shows that 45% of those asked believed Cyprus’s veto decision should be taken after a referendum.

It also indicates that Greek Cypriots are willing to change their mind if Ankara makes specific commitments to Cyprus.

Recognition

These include recognition of the Cyprus Republic, removal of its troops in stages, the handing over of Famagusta and a customs union.

The polls also reveal a sense of fatalism or realism by Greek Cypriots, most of whom are certain Turkey will be part of Europe, in 20 years’ time.

Sixty five per cent (65%) of yesterday’s poll respondents said Turkey will certainly be in the EU, compared to 60% in the Simerini survey.

What seems interesting is that President Papadopoulos’ Diko party supporters were the least likely to say Turkey will be in the EU.

On the other hand, Annan plan supporters were most likely to say it will be part of Europe, according to the College’s poll.

As for the President’s handling of the veto issue, Simerini’s poll has 62% of respondents giving him the thumbs up, while only 50% thought the same about that of the Greek Government.