Brussels, 19/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Autumn Eurobarometer, the results of which were published on Tuesday 18 December, shows that general attitudes of citizens towards the EU and its institutions remain highly positive. However, since the publication of the spring Eurobarometer, EU citizens have become increasingly worried about the economic situation in their country and notably by inflation.
Overall, most EU citizens (48% -4) believe that the situation of their national economy is good, 49% think the contrary. EU citizens increasingly consider inflation (26%, +8) as one of the two most important issues in their country at the moment, just behind unemployment (27%, -7). While 48% of EU citizens tend to trust the EU, only 34% tend to trust their national government and 35% their national parliament. As a whole, EU citizens are increasingly favouring joint decisions within the EU, but especially so in the following areas: combating terrorism (81%, no change), protecting the environment (73%, +4), scientific and technological research (72%, +1) and energy (68%, +7). A majority of citizens (61%,-5) feel that their country's voice counts within the EU but less than a third (30%,-5) hold the same view when it comes to their own individual voice. EU citizens consider that, in order to strengthen the European Union in the future, the European institutions should emphasise the fight against crime (36%), environmental issues (33%), and immigration (33%). The initial results of the autumn Eurobarometer are available at: http: //ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm (O.L.)