THE GLOBAL financial crisis is the main concern of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and three out of four people on both sides say they find it hard to pay their bills every month.
The news was revealed yesterday in the latest Eurobarometer survey, which was carried out in the Autumn of 2008.
“Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are worried about the economic situation in Europe, but believe that there will be fewer problems in Cyprus,” said Androulla Kaminara. “Also Cypriots say they have problems paying their bills, and both communities believe that the economic crisis and inflation will be their biggest problems.”
From the figures provided, 67 per cent of Greek Cypriots and 76 per cent of Turkish Cypriots say that they have difficulty paying all the bills at the end of the month. Regarding their purchasing power, 78 per cent of Greek Cypriots believe it has decreased. This is the highest percentage recorded in the EU27.
The two main problems of concern to the citizens of Cyprus were the rise in prices with 46 per cent saying they were worried bout it. Some 80 per cent of Greek Cypriots are unhappy about energy prices because of the successive increases in the price of crude oil since the summer of 2008.
After prices and the economy, most Cypriots were concerned about crime.
The study was conducted between October 8 and November 2, almost one year after the accession of Cyprus to the euro zone, and during a period in which the global economy was entering a deep crisis.
Despite the overall satisfaction with their lives at 85 per cent, the overwhelming majority of Greek Cypriots, 78 per cent, are not satisfied with the cost of living in Cyprus.
Turkish Cypriots, according to the survey, appear to be unhappier than they have ever been.
Only 51 per cent of Turkish Cypriots said they were satisfied with their lives. The Turkish Cypriot community’s level of satisfaction with life has shown the biggest decrease – 14 per cent in recent years – than any other EU citizens.
At 98 per cent the Dutch are the most satisfied with their lives.
Four out of ten Greek Cypriots consider Cyprus’s EU membership positive. Forty per cent of respondents believe that EU membership is a good thing, 37 per cent are not sure, while 21 per cent believe that it is a bad thing.
But Turkish Cypriots continue to believe their voice as individuals or as the Turkish Cypriot community is not taken into account in the European Union. Some 58 per cent believe this.
The overwhelming majority of Greek Cypriots have excellent knowledge of EU institutions, but in general Cypriots say that they are not well informed regarding the EU budget.
One in three believes that the EU budget should be spent on economic growth as their first option. As their second option, 45 per cent said that they would like the EU budget to be spent on public health.
“Both communities have more confidence in EU institutions. There are many similarities, although there is a difference in the percentages of the two communities”.
The report also referred to the main societal issues dominating Greek Cypriots media during the period the study was carried out,” said Kaminara.
These included the global economic crisis, high electricity prices, the effects of the crisis on the stock markets and various aspects of the Cypriot economy, the negotiations between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the scandal in Greece involving investments by the Vatopedi Monastery, the effects of the drought on the agricultural sector in Cyprus and the aid provided by the government, the debate for the ban of smoking in public places in Cyprus, the continuous flow of illegal immigrants arriving through the north areas and the attempts of activists to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
