A majority of Turkish Cypriots want an agreement to resolve the Cyprus problem and reject the continuation of the current status quo, according to a new survey by the Centre for Migration, Identity and Rights Studies (CMIRS), which also found strong public support for a federal settlement despite persistent concerns about its potential consequences.
The June 2026 survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 500 participants, found that 65.09% of respondents want an agreement to resolve the island’s decades-old division, while 59.96% said the continuation of the current situation is unacceptable.
A bicommunal, bizonal federation based on political equality emerged as the most widely accepted solution model, supported by 75.94% of respondents. A possible confederal settlement was considered acceptable by 61.37%, while only 25.95% viewed a unitary state structure as an acceptable option.
CMIRS Director Mine Yücel said the findings point to broad dissatisfaction with the unresolved Cyprus issue and a growing desire for a settlement, preferably based on internationally accepted parameters, though alternative frameworks are also considered.
Reservations on living together
The survey also highlighted mixed views on future coexistence between the island’s communities. According to the findings, 50.31% of respondents said living together again with Greek Cypriots would be acceptable, showing that the other half continues to have reservations.
“Although support for a solution remains high, there is still a need to strengthen social trust and relations between the communities,” she said.
The findings showed that concern over the prolonged deadlock remains widespread. Some 88.38% of respondents said uncertainty surrounding the Cyprus problem is worrying, while 82.36% expressed concern about the suspension of negotiations or the possibility that talks could end without a result.
Economic and security-related concerns
According to the survey, 92.58% of respondents were concerned about the possibility of increased isolation and restrictions, while 91.98% said the Cyprus problem was slowing economic development. More than 90% also expressed concern about energy and security developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The survey found that 92.39% of respondents regarded recent energy and security agreements concluded by the Greek Cypriot side as a source of concern, while 89.57% were worried about the possibility of renewed tension and conflict on the island.
Turkey’s growing influence
Concerns extended to external influences and international actors. The survey showed that 73.35% were concerned about Turkey’s growing influence over the north, while 87.17% said they were worried by the attitudes of international actors.
While support for a federal settlement was high, the findings also revealed uncertainty about the practical implications of any future agreement. Although 75.94% said a federal solution would be acceptable, 63.52% also said such a settlement would be a cause for concern.
Similarly, 44.09% said they viewed a two-state solution with concern.
Yücel said the results indicate that Turkish Cypriots are not giving unconditional support to any single model, but are instead seeking a settlement capable of guaranteeing security, economic prosperity and political stability.
Source: Kıbrıs Postası
