More than half of Turkish voters in northern Cyprus say no: reports

More than half of Turk voters living in northern Cyprus said HAYIR (NO) in Sunday's referendum for constitutional amendments in Turkey, unlike Turks living in other European Union countries who supported it, Turkish Cypriot media said on Monday.

Different media gave differing numbers, which range between 54.82 to 55.59 percent for HAYIR (NO) and 45.18 to 44.31 percent for EVET (YES).

An estimated 120,000 to 150,000 Turks settled over the years in the northern part of Cyprus, after it was occupied by Turkish troops in 1974, in reaction to a coup staged against the Cypriot government by the military rulers of Greece at the time.

There were 104,500 registered Turkish voters but only 43,479, or 41.6 percent, cared to cast their votes.

Cyprus was among countries which closely watched the outcome of the constitutional referendum as the government has said its outcome would influence in a decisive way the negotiations to reunify the eastern Mediterranean island.

Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said on Monday that the results of the referendum are still under evaluation "in order to come to a comprehensive understanding of its implications" on the negotiations.

He also said Cyprus would closely monitor not only developments in Turkey but also the reactions of other countries and international bodies, such as the European Union.

Cyprus has always considered that the prospects of Turkey to join the European Union would help towards reaching an agreed solution to the division of the country.

A new round of negotiations between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci is scheduled to start next Thursday. Endit