Turkish Cypriot support for EU slides

THE level of Turkish Cypriot support for the EU and its institutions has fallen considerably since last year and only 68 per cent of people in the north are now satisfied with their lives, according to a new eurobarometer published yesterday.

The report said there was a feeling within the Turkish Cypriot community that there would not be a solution to the Cyprus problem in the short term.

“Similarly, an increasing number of Turkish Cypriots now believe that the promises made to the Turkish Cypriot community by the European Union have not been kept and/or carried out,” it said.

Another contributing factor to the ‘negative feeling’ among Turkish Cypriots has been the gradual slowdown of the ‘economic boom’ that had been taking place over the last few years.

“Thus, while there were positive feelings throughout Europe towards the European Union in this Eurobarometer, the level of support among Turkish Cypriots towards this institution continued to fall,” the report added.

Although 67 per cent in the north said their economy was good, 52 per cent complained about unemployment

Over two thirds of Turkish Cypriots polled expect their lives to be better or remain the same in the next 12 months. Around 15 per cent think their lives will get worse. This figure is on the increase compared to previous eurobarometers.

Most were more optimistic about the economic situation in the EU than they were about the economic situation in the north.

Some 45 per cent of Turkish Cypriots listed the Cyprus problem as their main concern.

The survey also showed a low level of trust in the UN among Turkish Cypriots. Only 30 per cent said they trusted the UN, a drop of 12 per cent since the last survey.

“Similarly, the level of trust among Turkish Cypriots towards the European Commission is only 29 per cent, while the EU 27 average is 50 per cent.”

Almost three quarters of Turkish Cypriots think their voice is not taken into account in the European Union and only 29 per cent said they thought the Turkish Cypriot community would have more of a say in the EU in the future.
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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.