Brussels, 23/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - EU citizens and those of candidate countries back enlargement, but for different reasons, according to two reports published in Brussels on Wednesday.
The "Flash Eurobarometer 132/1" reveals that 68% of the 11,088 EU citizens questioned between 11 and 21 September 2002 are "totally" or "rather" in favour of enlargement, but with large differences from one Member State to the next. In addition, three out of four have heard of it, but that goes from 90% (Austria, Denmark, Finland to 51% (United Kingdom). However, knowledge of it in candidate countries is low and is often limited to three countries: Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey. Furthermore, 69% of those questioned consider that enlargement will have a great impact on their country; but according to three polled out of four decision-taking will be more difficult, and, according to 63% enlargement will be costly for their country, and, according to 60% it will complicate combating organised crime and drug trafficking.
As to the report based on the latest Eurobarometer reports in the candidate countries, it reveals that, between October 2001 and March/April 2002, support for accession gained one point, reaching 60%, whereas the opponents of accession went from 10 to 14%. According to 64% of those questioned, their country will draw benefits from membership of the EU, but, as the date of accession draws closer, this feeling lessens in the ten countries that should complete accession negotiations this year. Finally, 66% of citizens (on average) of the candidate countries said they would vote for membership in a referendum.