Forty per cent of Turkish Cypriots back two-state solution

NEARLY 40 per cent of Turkish Cypriots support a solution to the Cyprus problem based on two independent states, according to a new poll in the north. A mere six per cent support a united Cyprus.

The bizonal bicommunal federation being pushed by the international community is supported by only 28 per cent, while 14 per cent support confederation and eight per cent want annexation to Turkey.

As regards EU accession, the poll reveals that the majority of Turkish Cypriots want to join the EU, with 74.6 supporting membership, even if Turkey is not a member.

But 36 per cent favour accession only after a solution to the Cyprus problem and on condition that Turkey also becomes a member.

Almost 10 per cent support the immediate accession of Cyprus, while 6.4 per cent oppose it totally.

The poll noted that the majority of those who believed that Turkey’s EU accession should precede that of Cyprus were aged over 45 and were supporters of the ruling National Unity Party (NUP) of ‘Prime Minister’ Dervis Eroglu, the Democratic Party (DP) of Serdar Denktash, son of the Turkish Cypriot leader, and the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP).

Voters for the opposition Republican Turkish Party (RTP) of Mehmet Ali Talat and the Movement of Patriotic Union (MPU) tend to believe that a solution to the Cyprus problem would be sufficient for the island to enter the EU.

Concerning the upcoming `presidential’ elections in the north, 41.5 per cent say they will vote for the NUP, 17.4 per cent for the RTP, 17.1 per cent for the DP, 12.6 per cent for current coalition partners the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) led by Mustafa Akinci, and six per cent for the MPU.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.