Brussels, 12/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Commission published the first results of its "Eurobarometer" survey conducted in the thirteen countries candidates for EU membership, from which it emerges that on average 59% of citizens consider that their country's membership of the EU is a "good thing" whereas 65% would now vote in favour of their country's membership in a referendum. For the Enlargement Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen, this first survey conducted in candidate countries in October 2001 with a sample of 1,200 citizens, demonstrates that "so far the enlargement strategy is right". "The perspective of accession has already brought about significant benefits that are visible for the people of the candidate countries, who now look forward to opportunities of full EU membership. I am aware that the survey also reveals a desire for more information; the Commission is committed to continue its efforts, along with the candidate countries themselves, to contribute to a better understanding of what enlargement can mean", Verheugen commented.
Here is the summary of the main elements of the "candidates" Eurobarometer, the complete version of which will be available in February/March 2002:
On average 59% of citizens in candidate countries consider that EU membership would be a "good thing" for their country, the degree of support ranging from 33% in Estonia and Latvia (against 14 and 17% respectively who think it would be a "bad thing") to 80% in Romania. The degree of support is much greater in candidate countries than in countries within the EU;
65% of people asked of an age to vote declare that they would back their country's membership of the EU were a referendum to be organised. The proportion increases to 79% among people with truly the intention to vote and express their opinion. The only country without a clear majority in favour of membership is Malta, where only 53% of potential electors say that they would vote "yes";
52% of citizens have a positive image of the EU, against 18% who declare having a negative image. These results are better than those of the Eurobarometer survey within the EU, where 42% declare they have a positive image, against 18% with a negative image. With 70%, Bulgaria and Romania are the most positive towards the EU, whereas Malta is the only country where over 3 people out of 10 have a negative image of the EU (34%);
with 97%, the European Union is the most well known international organisation in candidate countries, but knowledge of its institutions is less widespread: 72% have heard of the European Parliament and 60% of the European Commission. In Member States, the percentages are 89% and 77%, respectively;
62% trust the European Union, or a greater proportion than within the EU (41%). Trust is most widespread in Romania (74%) and Bulgaria (72%). People questioned in Turkey (34%) and Malta (35%) have the greatest mistrust;
nine people out of ten living in the candidate countries have heard of their country's bid to become members of the European Union. This levels varies from 82% in Turkey to 98% in Cyprus and Malta. The majority of those questioned, however, do not feel well informed over their country's accession process or the enlargement process in general. Only 28% say they are well informed on enlargement and 29% on their country's accession process. The proportion of people questioned who say they are informed on the EU enlargement process varies from 17% in Estonia and Turkey to 54% in Slovenia. Regarding the accession process, the level of people who say they are well informed ranges from 18% in Estonia to 57% in Slovenia.