Brussels, 05/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Eurobarometer on the future of Europe, carried out between 20 February and 24 March with a sample of 24,750 citizens aged 15 and over, and made public on 5 May, reveals that Europeans want more specific action at Community level, said Communication Commissioner Margot Wallström. The survey, said the Commission, shows that there is greater optimism about the direction in which things were going at European level: 39% of those asked consider that things are going in the right direction in the EU in comparison with the national situation (34% share the same view regarding the national level. The European Union has, then, a positive image, according to the Commission. It is perceived above all as being democratic (67%), modern (67%) and protective (54%). Almost one person in two questioned considered it technocratic (49%) and inefficient (43%), however. While almost one in two respondents thought that belonging to the EU was positive, there were some criticisms over the lack of cultural and political integration at Community level. On economic unification, 44% of those questioned thought that a lot had been achieved (compared with 32% who thought the opposite), a figure that was confirmed by the 56% who saw the internal market and the “four freedoms” of movement (people, goods, services and capital) as the second most positive aspect of European integration after peace among all Member States (60%). Among other positive results from the unification of Europe were the euro (27%), student exchange programmes like Erasmus (18%) and the CAP (11%).
However, when asked about the future of Europe, citizens gave mixed responses. Among the key elements that could assure the future of Europe, no suggestion received more than 25% support, apart from achieving comparable living standards (51%) which received a huge endorsement from citizens from the new Member States. The introduction of the euro, the adoption of a European Constitution and the adoption of a common language received 26%, 25% and 22% support respectively. It should be noted that the French and Dutch, who last year rejected the Constitutional Treaty for Europe, with 29% and 32% respectively in favour of the adoption of a common Constitution, were far from being the least in favour. In relation to the key problems of unemployment, social protection and economic growth, the expectations of more Europe from European citizens remained high. Among the elements that could most strengthen the feeling of belonging to the EU, a European system of social protect gained most support (32%) ahead of a common Constitution (27%) and an EU President elected by universal suffrage (16%). Respondents called for greater decision making at Community level on protection of social rights (51%) and protection of the environment (72%).
For more information: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/index_en.htm