Turkish Cypriots ‘satisfied’, Cyprus problem not important

There is a decrease in the Turkish Cypriots’ level of satisfaction with life to 70% in this edition of the Eurobarometer compared to the previous study (75%), even though Turkish Cypriots tended to have portrayed a higher level of satisfaction with their lives than the EU average, presently higher (80%).

There is also a decrease in Turkish Cypriots’ feeling of optimism regarding the future.

About half said they do not expect their personal employment levels and the household’s financial situation to change in the next 12 months (46% and 44%, respectively)

Turkish Cypriots are most pessimistic about employment and the economic situation in their community – one in every five said the economic situation will worsen in the next 12 months. Denmark (99%) and the Netherlands (93%) are the most optimistic, while Croatia (13%) and Turkey (39%) are the least optimistic.  

Compared to five years ago, 60% of Turkish Cypriots believe their lives have improved, while this is lower in the EU 27 at 38%. At the same time, 66% said the economic situation of their community at the present is good. They trust radio (62%), TV (60%) and newspapers (54%). Trust in the Internet is lower at 47%. 

Turkish Cypriots listed unemployment, the Cyprus problem and the economic situation as the most important issues facing their community.

 

— Cyprus problem not important

 

The Cyprus problem was listed as the most important (62%) issue in the previous study. However there has been an important decrease to 33%, making it the second most important issue after unemployment (36%). The economic situation was listed as the third most important issue (31%). 

The European Union has a positive image (54%) among Turkish Cypriots. For them, EU means economic welfare (38%), peace (34%), social security (34%) and democracy (32%), suggesting that once the acquis is fully implemented, there will be economic and political stability within the Turkish Cypriot community.

The EU institution of which Turkish Cypriots are most aware is the European Parliament (77%), followed by the European Commission (70%) and EU Council (69%).

Turkish Cypriots believe the EU should work with national governments to fight terrorism, for scientific and technological research and to support economically problematic areas. 

On the other hand, they believe transportation, agriculture and fisheries and pensions should be left to national governments and also stated that the EU should play a greater role in issues such as immigration and health and social welfare.

According to Turkish Cypriots, the most positive outcome of European integration is freedom of movement (48%) and peace (46%), and 60% said they are optimistic about the future of the EU.

About half (49%) of those surveyed said religion is the issue that created a community feeling in the EU. Other issues listed as the ‘glue’ that holds the EU together were the economy (29%) and culture (21%).

 

— Level of trust in EU drops

 

Turkish Cypriots’ level of trust towards the EU continues to decrease, from 45% in the previous survey to 36%, while  49% said they do not trust the EU.

This is the first standard Eurobarometer where Turkish Cypriots have shown mistrust towards all of the EU institutions. For example there has been an 8% increase in the percentage of those who do not trust the European Parliament putting Turkish Cypriots, along with the UK, Turkey and Croatia, at the top of the list of those who do not trust the institution.

On the other hand, the majority interviewed (60%) think the full implementation of the acquis in the north would be a good thing.

The majority of Turkish Cypriots (69%) do not think their interests are taken into account in the EU. On the other hand, 61% believe the full implementation of the acquis will bring economic and political stability to the north, while 52% also said they would feel safer if the region was a member of the EU. 

While the support for further enlargement is only 49% in the EU27, 68% of Turkish Cypriots said they support enlargement, but only 44% support the EU Constitution.