Most Greek Cypriots view negatively Turkey's EU accession: poll

A recent poll by European pollster Eurobarometre has showed that less than 20 percent Greek Cypriots hold a positive view on Turkey's EU accession, although many of them favor a further EU enlargement, Cyprus news Agency reported on Wednesday.

The poll, the European Commission's public opinion analysis, was based on a survey carried out between Sept. 6 and Oct. 1 over both the population of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot community in the north.

Greek Cypriots rank fourth regarding their negative stance for Turkey's EU accession, with 74 percent of the respondents expressed such a opinion.

The Austrians with 87 percent tops the chart in this regard, and they are followed by Germans, 78 percent, and citizens of Luxembourg, 77 percent.

On the other hand, Turkish Cypriots are the ones most favor Turkey's accession, with 78 percent of the respondents favor the accession. They are followed by the Turkish citizens with 68 percent.

Furthermore, 66 percent of Greek Cypriots and 54 percent of Turkish Cypriots favor a future EU enlargement, while the EU average stands at 46 percent.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of Cyprus following a coup by a group of Greek officers.

In 2004, the internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in the name of the whole island and now has the EU veto power over its rival Turkey.

Earlier this month, the EU ministers decided unanimously to suspend eight of the 35 negotiation chapters, or policy areas in Turkey's accession talks as a punishment for Turkey's refusal to normalize trade with EU member Cyprus.

Source: Xinhua