Research public opinion in both communities conducted by bi-communal initiative”Cyprus”2015, shows among other things, that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots remain positive for a federal arrangement, but have conflicting ideas as to how to solve Security issues, Territorial and settlers.
The poll was conducted on a sample of 1.000 Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots 1.000 using personal interviews in respondents’ houses and in their native language. The questionnaire was designed through a participatory process that included the political leadership and political forces of the two communities. The poll was from March 17 until April 14, 2011.
Specifically, the chapter Security, the survey showed that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots disagree as to the possible continuation of Turkish securities, with the Greek Cypriots are strongly against the Turkish Cypriots to be strongly in favor.
Despite the disagreement, both communities agree that the European Union must play a role as one of the guarantors of a solution by setting incentives for implementation and sanctions for non-implementation, which will be related to benefits of EU participation in decisions getting the EU
. Where convened an international conference that both communities agree that these should be the Greek / Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots, Turkey, Greece, the European Union and United Nations. Both communities agree that the permanent members of UN Security Council should not be separately present in such a conference.
On the ground, according to the survey, the minimum territorial adjustment, the Greek Cypriots are willing to accept is Varosha and form to be returned under Greek Cypriot administration and to make federal Karpas area for use by both communities.
The Turkish Cypriots strongly oppose any territorial adjustment and the only point of convergence between the two sides is that both are positive fixing various federal areas, not belonging to the Greek Cypriot or Turkish Cypriot constituent state, but throughout the island, while these areas there will be no restrictions on the right of residence.
As regards the settlers, the Greek Cypriots expect that most of the settlers who came from Turkey after 1974, including their descendants, should return to Turkey after a settlement, with the sole possible exception of those who have married to Turkish Cypriots and the children of such mixed marriages.
On the other hand, Turkish Cypriots believe that settlers have already lived in Cyprus for many decades with their families should be given the right to stay after a settlement. The only point at which the two communities agree on the capital of the settlers is that many cases of people who came from Turkey can be solved by allowing them to stay after a settlement, but only with residence and work – not as citizens with voting rights.
In the chapter on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and two communities have expressed agreement on several proposed measures, especially in the restoration of religious, historical and cultural monuments that are important to every community.Both communities also accept the termination of daily negative statements of political leaders against the other community.
The investigation showed that both communities agree that there should be paperwork on the barricades. In contrast, packages on issues on direct trade, direct flights, Varosha and universities tend to be rejected by one or the other community.
However, the proposal to open Varosha as a communal area under the auspices of the UN and the European Union, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live and work together, is considered acceptable by both communities.
and Trust (UNDP-ACT) in Cyprus and the European Commission Representation.
