07 October 2003

Turkish Cypriots to be allowed to vote

As Cyprus moves towards full membership of the European Union next May, the government in Nicosia has pledged to ensure that Turkish Cypriots be allowed to vote for the 6 MEPs in next year's elections for the European Parliament. However, good intentions could be frustrated by difficulties of implementation.

With the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government having no control over the Turkish-held north, there are huge practical obstacles to Turkish Cypriot participation in next year's polls.

Suggested solutions include opening polling boths on the Green Line, allowing Turkish Cypriots to vote by e-mail or tolerating on-the-day registration by Turkish Cypriot voters.

Given my paternal roots in the island, I am delighted that the legally-recognized government of Cyprus is moving away from an ethnic towards a more territorial definition of citizenship. This is a necessary first step in breaching the 30-year-old barrier between the two sides of the island.

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