EUROBAROMETER 56.3 SPECIAL BUREAUX (2002) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Transcription

1 EUROBAROMETER 56.3 SPECIAL BUREAUX (00) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY GETTING INFORMATION ON EUROPE, THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE E.U. & SUPPORT FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION : EUROPEAN PUBLIC OPINION TAKES THE FLOOR Survey carried out by: THE EUROPEAN OPINION RESEARCH GROUP (EORG) For: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, DIRECTORATE-GENERAL PRESS AND COMMUNICATION, UNIT : «OPINION POLLS» «This document does not reflect the views of the European Commission. Any interpretations or opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors alone May 4, 00

2 Introductory notes: Between January and February 8 00, the European Opinion Research Group, a consortium of Market and Public Opinion Research agencies, made out of INRA (EUROPE) and GfK Worldwide, carried out wave 56.3 of the standard Eurobarometer, on request of the European Commission, Directorate-General Press and Communication, Opinion Polls. The Standard EUROBAROMETER 56.3 covers the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member States, aged 15 years and over, resident in each of the Member States. The basic sample design applied in all Member States is a multi-stage, random (probability) one. Sample: persons over 15 have been interviewed. All interviews were face-to-face in people's home and in the appropriate national language. Fieldwork: January nd February 8th, 00. Standard EUROBAROMETER 56.3 co-operating agencies : COUNTRIES INSTITUTES N INTERVIEWS FIELDWORK DATES POPULATION 15+ (x 000) Belgium INRA BELGIUM /01 1/0 8,36 Denmark GfK DANMARK 1000 /01 8/0 4,338 Germany(East) INRA DEUTSCHLAND /01 11/0 13,08 Germany(West) INRA DEUTSCHLAND /01 18/0 55,78 Greece MARKET ANALYSIS 1004 /01 7/0 8,793 Spain INRA ESPAÑA /01 1/0 33,04 France CSA-TMO 1007 /01 7/0 46,945 Ireland LANSDOWNE Market Research /01 5/0,980 Italy INRA Demoskopea /01 /0 49,017 Luxembourg ILRes 59 3/01 8/0 364 The Netherlands INTOMART /01 4/0 1,705 Austria SPECTRA /01 0/0 6,668 Portugal METRIS /01 5/0 8,17 Finland MDC MARKETING RESEARCH 1053 /01 4/0 4,165 Sweden GfK SVERIGE 1000 /01 8/0 7,183 Great Britain MARTIN HAMBLIN LTD /01 4/0 46,077 Northern Ireland ULSTER MARKETING SURVEYS /01 19/0 1,73 TOTAL NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS 1596 This executive summary is derived from the «EU 15» Eurobarometer 56.3 report which analyses on a European scale a series of quantitative and qualitative results on which observations and estimations were made, while analytical conclusions were drawn, related to awareness, knowledge, the inclination and the positions of residents-citizens of the member-states, regarding the three main topics of this survey: - issue analysis N 1: getting information on Europe - issue analysis N : the enlargement of the European Union - issue analysis N 3: support for European integration The analysis of the main topics of the poll leads to specific conclusions, not only on the level of awareness, but also on the tendencies and preferences of the European public opinion as a whole, as well as on population clusters with distinct characteristics, such as gender, age, education background, income, etc. This report is a prolongation of a similar exercise which had been initiated for the first time in 001 (EUROBAROMETER 55.0 SPECIAL BUREAUX - 001) Readers of the present executive summary are invited to read the corresponding national results in each one of the national report declinations.

3 3 MAIN FINDINGS ISSUE ANALYSIS N 1: GETTING INFORMATION ON EUROPE INFORMATION SOURCES USED BY EU CITIZENS Preferred sources of information When citizens of the European Union want information on the EU, they turn first to the traditional mass media: television (58%), newspapers (37%) and the radio (3%). The use of the Internet (1%) has seen a steady growth which will make it appear in the near future as a major media challenger. Usefulness of these sources of information Television, daily newspapers and the radio are the three sources EU citizens consider the most useful, and where they turn first to find information about the EU. Seven EU citizens out of ten believe that television is a useful source of information about the EU; television is followed by daily newspapers (43%) and radio (30%). The Internet (18%) is seen as a good source of specific information on the EU. Getting information from the official information service providers of the European Union EU information services are definitely not well known and even less used: more than 80% of Europeans have never heard about these services. Among the 16% of those who have heard about these services, only 14% say they have ever requested any kind of information from an information service (e.g. Euro-Info Points, Euro-Libraries, etc.) of the European Union: nearly one respondent in three (31%) has requested such information only once in his / her country; 13% of respondents made such a request ten times or more. Responsibility for communications about the European Union and its activities A majority of people in the EU (56%) think that their national government should be responsible for communication about the EU and its activities. The media and the EU institutions are held to be responsible for this by 38% of responses. Members of the European Parliament obtain a lower score (4%), as well as local authorities (%). IDENTIFICATION OF INFORMATION NEEDS ON EUROPE Five areas are of particular interest to EU citizens. For each one of the areas mentioned below, the level of interest as well as the proportion requesting the information are listed in descending order : «Your rights as a citizen of the European Union» : - interest : 79% - request for information : 63% «What the European Union can do to fight against crime»: - interest : 74% - request for information : 60% «What the European Union can do to fight unemployment»: - interest : 7% - request for information : 59% «The consequences of the introduction of the euro»: - interest : 71% - request for information : 57% «Food safety in the European Union»: - interest : 71% - request for information : 58% THE USE OF THE INTERNET IN EUROPE 3

4 4 Sixty three percent of EU citizens say they do not use the Internet. Twenty seven percent of Internet users get connected at home and 1% at work. What kind of information about the EU should be put on the Internet? When asking what kind of information should be put on the Internet, nearly one Internet user in two (49%) thinks that information about the European Union should be reachable on the Internet; one respondent in three (3%) gives the following answer: discussion forums / chatrooms which enable you to give your opinion on various topics ; for 17% of Internet users, opinions of members of the European Parliament should be accessible from the Web; finally, for 16% of respondents, opinions of EU Commissioners should also be accessible when they log on to the Internet. EUROPA (web site of the European Union) Eighty eight percent of European Internet users have never been on Europa, the web site of the EU. Only 1% say they use this web site one to three times a month; 1% say they use it several times a week, 0,3% once a week and 8% less often (less than 1 to 3 times a month). Reasons behind the use of Europa Sixty percent of Europa web site users say they visit this site for personal interest. Nearly one third (3%) of Europa visitors consult this site for work and 5% of respondents do it for studies. The information which is looked for on Europa More than one Internet user out of two (51%) would like to find on Europa some information on their citizens rights. The second option, general information on EU institutions, is credited with 37% of responses. Some 35% of Internet users would like to get more information on key issues. EUROPEANS LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF THEIR CONTINENT Interest in knowing what people in other EU countries think about the future of Europe Fewer than one respondent in two (49%) would be interested in knowing what people in other EU countries think about the future of Europe (36% fairly interested, 13% very interested ). But almost one EU citizen out of two (46%) is not interested in this opportunity. Interest in knowing what people in candidate countries think about the future of Europe Nearly half the respondents (48%) would be interested in knowing what people in candidate countries think about the future of Europe (36% fairly interested, 1% very interested ); the same proportion of people are not interested in this opportunity. 4

5 5 ISSUE ANALYSIS N : THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE E.U. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF EU CITIZENS ABOUT THE CANDIDATE COUNTRIES A large majority of respondents have already heard of the candidate countries: results range from 8% for Latvia to 97% for Turkey The ties between EU citizens and the candidate countries More than nine respondents in ten (91%) have no tie of any kind with any of the candidate countries. LEVEL OF INFORMATION ON ENLARGEMENT Willingness to know more about candidate countries When asked whether they would like to know more about candidate countries, 41% of respondents gave a negative answer. Living or working in the candidate countries? In addition, more than three EU citizens out of four (76%) do not wish either to work or to live in any of the candidate countries. Which countries are official candidates? A vast majority of EU citizens do not know which countries are official candidates. Four countries received recognition rates of 30% or more: Poland (40% of respondents say that Poland is an official candidate), Turkey (39%), Hungary (31%), Czech Republic (31%). But the nine remaining countries obtain recognition rates ranging from 16 to 1% : Slovenia (16%), Lithuania (16%), Slovakia (16%), Latvia (17%), Malta (17%), Estonia (17%), Bulgaria (0%), Cyprus (1%) and Romania (1%). How well informed are EU citizens about enlargement? Citizens of the EU are quite badly informed about the enlargement issue. Only 1% of respondents feel very well informed about enlargement; 1% feel well informed; on the other hand, more than eight Europeans out of ten (83%) mention a lack of information: 47% of the respondents do not feel very well informed and 36% not well informed at all. Sources of information about enlargement Television (33%) and daily newspapers (0%) are the most frequently mentioned sources of information about enlargement. The radio is mentioned by 9% of the respondents. But more than one respondent in two (56%) states that he / she has not recently been informed about enlargement Preferred modes of information about enlargement Once again the traditional mass media show the best results. More than three respondents in four (76%) describe the television as their preferred source of information about enlargement. Daily newspapers (48%) and the radio (9%) represent the second and third options for respondents. The Internet is credited with 15% (just after other newspapers and magazines, 18%). PARTICIPATION BY EU CITIZENS IN THE POLITICAL DEBATE ABOUT ENLARGEMENT Participation of Europeans in the political debate about enlargement is very low. Most respondents do not feel that they are participating in the political debate about enlargement: only 1% feel they are participating a great deal, 10% somewhat, 7% not very much and 57% not at all. 5

6 6 OPTIONS, FORECASTS AND FEARS OF EU CITIZENS WITHIN THE PERSPECTIVE OF ENLARGEMENT Three options for the immediate future of the EU The three preferred options of EU citizens for the immediate future of the EU are the following: - option N 1 (44% of responses): the European Union should be enlarged to include only some of the countries wishing to join - option N (1% of responses): the European Union should be enlarged to include all the countries wishing to join - option N 3 (14% of responses): the European Union should not be enlarged to include any additional countries Some 15% of the respondents have no opinion on the subject. Which EU Member states will benefit from enlargement? When asked about which EU Member states will benefit from enlargement, more than one respondent in three (36%) has no opinion. Germany is the country, which receives the highest score: 18%. For 1% of respondents, the enlargement process will be beneficial to all Member States. Desired speed of the enlargement process Nearly one respondent in two (48%) feels that the process should continue at the same speed while 16% feel the process should be speeded up. Some 15% say this process should be slowed down. ENLARGING THE E.U.: UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS? EU citizens are ready to accept the arrival of new Member States, provided that they meet certain conditions: - the country has to respect human rights and the principles of democracy: 79% of respondents think this is very important - its economic development has to be close to the EU level: 48% of respondents think this is very important - it has to apply all EU rules: 69% of respondents think this is very important - its joining should not be costly for existing member states: 58% of respondents think this is very important - it has to be actively committed to fighting organised crime and drug trafficking: 76% of respondents think this is very important - it has to be actively committed to protecting the environment: 70% of respondents think this is very important - it has to be able to pay its share of the EU budget: 6% of respondents think this is very important THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS EU citizens feel the historic importance of enlargement. Indeed the three following statements show broad support within EU public opinion (presented in descending order): - enlargement unites our continent : 67% tend to agree - enlargement will make the European Union stronger politically : 63% tend to agree - enlargement secures peace in Europe : 60% tend to agree But EU citizens appear at the same time to be extremely clear about the real meaning of enlargement. Indeed, here are the statements which provoke the greatest opposition (presented in descending order): - enlargement will help to create more jobs in (our country): 48% tend to disagree (against 9% who tend to agree) - enlargement will help to increase people s quality of life in (our country): 45% tend to disagree (against 9% who tend to agree) - if our government is in favour of it, it means that enlargement is a good thing: 39% tend to disagree (against 35% who tend to agree) 6

7 7 ISSUE ANALYSIS N 3: SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION When asked about what they see as the two most positive aspects of the EU today, 44% of citizens feel that the introduction of the Euro is a very positive aspect of the EU (first positive aspect of the EU). The second highest response (4%) comes from the people who had no opinion on the subject. Free movement of people for travelling, working and studying was the third most quoted response. When asked about what they felt to be the two most negative aspects of the EU today, more than one respondent in two (5%) has no opinion on the subject. The most popular response (other than Don t know ) states that there are no negative aspects (1%). Three responses are then credited with the same figure (9%): the end of national currency, inflation and immigration. FEELING OF BELONGING TO THE EU Four Europeans out of ten express a feeling of belonging to the EU. When asked People may feel different degrees of attachment to their town or village, to their region, to their country or to European Union. Please tell me how attached you feel to the European Union? 9% of respondents say that they feel very attached to the EU; 30% say they are fairly attached; 35% feel that they are not very attached and 1% not at all attached. EU CITIZENS JUDGEMENTS ON THE ACTIONS OF THE UNION Here are the three areas in which the action taken by the EU is perceived by its citizens as being most effective (presented in descending order): * Successfully implementing the single European currency, the Euro * Maintaining peace and security in Europe * Guaranteeing the rights of the individual and respect for the principles of democracy in Europe Effective Not effective Priority Not a priority 75% 15% 70% % 70% 18% 89% 6% 61% % 81% 11% Here are the three areas for which the action taken by the EU is perceived by its citizens as a priority (presented in descending order): Effective Not effective Priority Not a priority * Maintaining peace and security in Europe 70% 18% 89% 6% * Fighting unemployment 43% 45% 89% 6% * Fighting poverty and social exclusion 45% 40% 88% 7% 7

8 8 THE WAY EU CITIZENS SEE THE EUROPEAN UNION Interest in being a member of the EU Sixty two percent of citizens in the EU think that their country s membership of the EU is an advantage when it comes to defending their national interests: 8% think it is a major advantage and 34% state it is a slight advantage. On the other hand, 8% of the respondents think it is a slight disadvantage and 7% a major disadvantage (while 1% of Europeans fell it is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage). For or against the European Union? A majority of EU citizens (61%) are rather favourable towards the European Union. Complexity of EU decision-making process: how does the European Union work? Nearly six in ten EU citizens (57%) tend to disagree with the following statement: I understand how the European Union works. Only 30% of the respondents tend to agree with this statement. ***** 8

9 9 ISSUE ANALYSIS N 1 : GETTING INFORMATION ON EUROPE The information available to citizens on the objectives and the activities of the European Union has become a major concern of the European institutions. The first chapter of the report reviews the information modes preferred by citizens of the European Union and tries to identify some of their expectations. It is structured around the following four parts: - information modes used by citizens of the European Union - identification of information needs on the European Union - the use of the Internet in the European Union - citizens of the European Union looking ahead to the future of their continent 1 INFORMATION SOURCES USED BY CITIZENS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 1.1 Preferred sources of information on Europe Question (N 5) : When you are looking for information about the European Union, its policies, its institutions, which of the following sources do you use? Which else? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) Answers: please see chart on following page television (58%) daily newspapers (37%) radio (3%) Internet (1%) Usefulness of these sources of information Question (N 7) : Which of the following sources of information about the European Union do you find useful? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) seven respondents out of ten believe that television is a useful source of information about the EU television is followed by daily newspapers (43%) and radio (30%) Internet is credited with 18% of the results 1. Getting information from the official information service providers of the European Union 1..1 Public knowledge of these services Question (N 11) : A lot of information about the European Union is directly available from the information services of the European Union. Prior to this survey, had you ever heard of these services? only 16% of respondents had already heard of these services 80% of European citizens give a negative answer to the question 9

10 10 FAVOURITE SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON EUROPE (Q. N 5) Q.5. - When you are looking for information about the European Union, its policies, its institutions, which of the following sources do you use? Which else? (Answers EU15,%) Television Daily newspapers Never look for such information, not interested (SPONTANEOUS) Radio Discussions with relatives, friends, colleagues Other newspapers, magazines Internet Books, brochures, information leaflets European Union information offices, Euro-info Centers, Euro-info points, Euro-librairies, etc. EU info. on notice boards in libr., town halls, railway stations, post offices M eetings Trade Unions or professional associations National or regional government information offices Other organisations (consumer organisations, etc.) Other (SPONTANEOUS) CD-Rom A member of European Parliament or a member of (NATIONAL PARLIAMENT) DK Level of use of these services Question (N 1) : Have you ever requested any information from an information service (Euro-info Points, Euro-libraries, etc.) of the European Union in (OUR COUNTRY), either by going there in person, in writing, via telephone or through the Internet? Answers (given by people who have already heard of these services): 14% of respondents say they have already requested some kind of information from an information service (e.g. Euro-Info Points, Euro-Libraries, etc.) of the European Union 59% of interviewees give a negative answer 10

11 11 Question (N 13) : How many times have you requested information from an information service of the European Union in (OUR COUNTRY)? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) Answers (given by people who have already requested some kind of information from these services): only once : nearly one respondent in three (31%) has requested such information once (in his/her country) between 3 and 5 times : 9% twice : % 10 times or more : 13% 1.3 Responsibility for communications about the EU and its activities Question (N 48) : Which of the following do you think should be responsible for communications about the European Union and its activities? You may give several answers. please see chart on following page a majority of respondents (56%) think that their national government should be responsible for communications about the EU and its activities the media and the EU institutions are named by 38% of respondents 11

12 1 RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT THE EU AND ITS ACTIVITIES (QUESTION N 48) Q Which of the following do you think should be responsible for communication about the European Union and its activities? (SEVERAL ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (Answers EU15,%) (NATIONALITY) government European Union institutions The media Members of the European Parliament Regional / local government / authorities DK Trade Unions Other bodies IDENTIFICATION OF INFORMATION NEEDS ON EUROPE Question (N 0 a & b) : - Q.0.a) - For each of the following, please tell me if you are interested in it, or not. - Q.0.b) - For which of the following areas would you like to receive more information? Answers: The list below shows the five areas in which Europeans appear to be the most interested and which receive the highest proportion of requests for more information (results presented by descending order) : «Your rights as a citizen of the European Union» : please see chart on following page - interest : 79% - request for more information : 63% «What the European Union can do to fight against crime»: - interest : 74% - request for more information : 60% «What the European Union can do to fight unemployment»: - interest : 7% - request for more information : 59% «The consequences of the introduction of the Euro»: - interest : 71% - request for more information : 57% «Food safety in the European Union»: - interest : 71% - request for more information : 58% 1

13 13 INTEREST IN CITIZENSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (QUESTION N 0 A - 1) Socio-demographic analysis : Are you interested in the following area: your rights as a citizen of the EU? (Q. 0.a-1) EU15 Average Gender Age Education Income Main home European Political party preference Professional status 79% ( Interested ) Male 80% Female 77% 15-4 years 79% 5-39 years 8% years 8% 55 + years 74% Up to 15 years 73% years 77% 0 + years 86% Still studying 8% «- -» 7% «-» 77% «+» 83% «+ +» 83% Rural area or village 79% Small or middle sized town 79% Large town 78% PSE 78% PPE 80% ELDR 79% GUE / NGL 87% FE 9% RDE 87% V 79% ARE 8% IEDN 80% NI 83% Not represented 81% Self-employed 84% Manager 86% Other white collars 8% Manual workers 79% House person 73% Unemployed 77% Retired 74% Students 8% 13

14 14 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CITIZENSHIP OF THE EU (QUESTION N 0 B) Q.0. b) - 1. For which of the following areas would you like to receive more information? YOUR RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 100% 80% % 40% 0% % NL UK FIN DK D WEST B D TOTAL A IRL D OST *EU 15* L S F E P I GR More information No more information DK 3 THE USE OF THE INTERNET IN EUROPE Question (N 1 - a) : Do you use the Internet nowadays? (IF YES) Where do you use the Internet? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 63% of respondents still do not use the Internet 7% of Internet users get connected at home and 1% at work 3.1 What kind of information about Europe should be put on the Internet? Question (N 1 - b) : Which of the following items about Europe would you like to find on the Internet? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) Answers (given by Internet users): please see chart on following page information about the European Union: 49% discussion forums / chatrooms which enable you to give your opinion on various topics : 3% opinions of members of the European Parliament: 17% opinions of European Union Commissioners: 16% 14

15 15 EUROPEAN INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET (QUESTION N Q1 B) Q.1. - b) Which of the following items about Europe would you like to find on the Internet? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) If " uses Internet" code to 9 in question 1 a (Answers EU15,%) Information about the European Union 49 Discussion forums / chatrooms w hich enable you to give your opinion on various topics 3 None of these (SPONTANEOUS) 1 Opinions of members of the European Parliament Opinions of European Union Commissioners DK 7 Others (SPONTANEOUS) EUROPA (web site of the European Union) Question (N 1 - c) : Have you ever been on Europa, the website of the European Union? (IF YES) Do you visit this site everyday, several times a week, once a week, 1 to 3 times a month or less often? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) Answers (given by people who use the Internet): 88% of respondents have never been on Europa, the web site of the EU 1% say they use this web site 1 to 3 times a month 1% say they use this web site several times a week 0,3% say they use it once a week 8% less often (less than 1 to 3 times a month) 3..1 Reasons behind the use of Europa Question (N 1 - d) : Q.1. - d) Why do you need the information you are looking for on this site? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 60% of Europa web site users say they visit this site for personal interest 3% of Europa visitors consult this site for work 5% of Europa visitors do it for studies 15

16 The information which is looked for on Europa Question (N 1 - e) : What type of information would you like to find on Europa, the website of the European Union? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) Answers (given by people who use the Internet): please see chart on following page 51% of respondents who use the Internet would like to find information about their citizens rights on Europa the second option, general information on EU institutions, picks up 37% of responses 35% of Internet users would like to get more information on key issues concerning the EU 4 EUROPEANS LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE OF THEIR CONTINENT 4.1 Interest in knowing what people in other EU countries think about the future of Europe Question (N 3) : How interested would you be in knowing what people in other European Union countries think about the future of Europe? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) Less than one respondent in two (49%) would be interested in knowing what people in other EU countries think about the future of Europe (36% fairly interested, 13% very interested ) 46% of respondents are not interested with this opportunity 4. Interest in knowing what people in candidate countries think about the future of Europe Question (N 5) : How interested would you be in knowing what people in candidate countries think about the future of Europe? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 48% of respondents would be interested in knowing what people in candidate countries think about the future of Europe (36% fairly interested, 1% very interested ) 48% of respondents are not interested in this opportunity 16

17 17 DESIRED INFORMATION ABOUT THE EU ON EUROPA (QUESTION N 1 E) Q.1. - e) What type of information would you like to find on Europa, the website of the European Union? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (Answers EU15,%) Citizens' rights General information on European Union institutions Key issues General information on European Union activities Upcoming events Latest press releases, communications and publications Results of latest public opinion surveys Official documents (European Union law, monthly bulletin, general annual reports) Treaties Statistics The history of the European Union Organisation charts and contact details DK Journal of the European Communities Other (SPONTANEOUS)

18 18 ISSUE ANALYSIS N : THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Chapter two of the report covers the way citizens of the EU position themselves in relation with the enlargement process. The following topics are dealt with in this part: - General knowledge of EU citizens about the candidate countries - Self-perceived level of information on enlargement - Participation of EU citizens in the political debate about enlargement - Options, forecasts and fears of EU citizens in the perspective of enlargement - Enlarging the E.U.: under what conditions? - The consequences of the process of enlargement 1 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF EUROPEANS ON THE CANDIDATE COUNTRIES Question (N ) : Q.8. - Which of the following countries, if any, have you ever heard of? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) A large majority of respondents have already heard of the candidate countries: results range from 8% for Latvia to 97% for Turkey 1.1 The ties between EU citizens and the candidate countries Question (N 31) : And with which have you family ties, business or sports contacts, etc.? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) More than nine respondents out of ten (91%) have no tie of any kind with any of the candidate countries LEVEL OF INFORMATION ON ENLARGEMENT.1 Willingness to know more about candidate countries Question (N 3 - a) : Which, if any, of these (candidate) countries would you like to know more about? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) 41% of respondents say that they do not want to know more about any of the candidate countries. Living or working in the candidate countries? Question (N 33 - b) : And in which would you be interested in working or living? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) More than three respondents out of four (76%) neither wish to work nor live in any of the candidate countries 18

19 19.3 Which countries are official candidates? Question (N 34) : And, which of these countries do you think are candidates to join the European Union? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) please see chart on following page four countries attract results of 30% or more: Poland (40%), Turkey (39%), Hungary (31%), Czech Republic (31%) the nine remaining countries obtain recognition scores ranging from 16 to 1% : Slovenia (16%), Lithuania (16%), Slovakia (16%), Latvia (17%), Malta (17%), Estonia (17%), Bulgaria (0%), Cyprus (1%) and Romania (1%).4 How well informed are EU citizens about enlargement? Question (N 35) : How well informed do you feel about enlargement, that is new countries joining the European Union? Do you feel...? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) EU average: 1,8 (based on the following scale: 1 Not at all well informed, Not very well informed, 3 Well informed, 4 Very well informed ) this average corresponds to the following figures: only 1% of Europeans feel very well informed on enlargement; 1% feel well informed; on the other hand, more than eight Europeans out of ten (83%) mention an information problem: 47% of the respondents do not feel very well informed and 36% not well informed at all. HOW WELL INFORMED ARE EUROPEANS ABOUT ENLARGEMENT? (QUESTION N 35) Q.35 - How well informed do you feel about enlargement, that is new countries joining the European Union? Do you feel? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) 4 3,5 3,5 1,5 1,6 1,6 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,8 1,8 1,9 1,9 1,9,0,,,3,6 1 UK P E IRL I F B GR *EU 15* NL S D WEST D TOTAL D OST L DK A FIN 19

20 0 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CANDIDATE COUNTRIES (QUESTION N 34) Q And, which of these countries do you think are candidates to join the European Union? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (Answers EU15,%) Poland Turkey DK Hungary Czech Republic Romania Cyprus Bulgaria Estonia Malta Latvia Slovakia Lithuania Slovenia None of these (SPONTANEOUS)

21 1 FEELING OF INFORMATION ON ENLARGEMENT Socio-demographic analysis : How well do you feel informed about enlargement? (Q. 35) EU15 Average 1% («Well informed») Gender Age Education Income Main home European Political party preference Professional status Male 15% Female 9% 15-4 years 10% 5-39 years 11% years 13% 55 + years 1% Up to 15 years 8% years 1% 0 + years 17% Still studying 11% «- -» 10% «-» 11% «+» 15% «+ +» 15% Rural area or village 10% Small or middle sized town 11% Large town 14% PSE 13% PPE 14% ELDR 16% GUE / NGL 17% FE 7% RDE 15% V 19% ARE 14% IEDN 4% NI 9% Not represented 1% Self-employed 15% Manager 0% Other white collars 11% Manual workers 11% House person 6% Unemployed 11% Retired 13% Students 11%.4.1 Sources of information about enlargement Question (N 36) : Q a) Have you recently read, seen or been told about the enlargement? (IF YES) From which sources? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) More than one respondent in two (56%) states that he / she has not recently been informed about enlargement Television (33%) and daily newspapers (0%) are the most often mentioned sources of information about enlargement the radio is mentioned by 9% of the respondents 1

22 .4. Preferred modes for information about enlargement Question (N 36 - b) : How do you prefer to get information about enlargement? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) please see chart on following page More than three respondents in four (76%) describe the television as their preferred source of information about enlargement daily newspapers (48%) and the radio (9%) represent the second and third options of Europeans the Internet is credited with 15% (just below other newspapers and magazines, 18%) 3 PARTICIPATION BY EU CITIZENS IN THE POLITICAL DEBATE ABOUT ENLARGEMENT Question (N 37) : Q How much do you feel you are participating in the political debate about enlargement? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) EU average: 1,5 (based on the following scale: 1 Not at all, Not very much, 3 Somewhat, 4 A great deal ) Most Europeans do not feel that they are participating in the political debate about enlargement. Figures underlying the EU average: 1% a great deal ; 10% somewhat ; 7% not very much ; 57% not at all. PARTICIPATION OF EUROPEANS IN THE POLITICAL DEBATE ABOUT ENLARGEMENT (QUESTION N 37) 5 Q.37. How much do you feel you are participating in the political debate about the enlargement (ONE ANSWER ONLY) ,3 1,3 1,3 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,5 1,6 1,6 1,6 1,6 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,7 1,8 0 GR UK P E IRL B *EU 15* NL S F FIN D WEST D TOTAL DK D OST L I A

23 3 PREFERENCES OF EUROPEANS FOR GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT ENLARGEMENT (QUESTION N Q36 B) Q b) How do you prefer to get information about enlargement? (MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) (Answers EU15,%) Television 76 Daily newspapers 48 Radio 9 Other newspapers, magazines Internet Books, brochures, information leaflets Discussions with relatives, friends, colleagues 8 M eetings Never look for such information, not interested (SPONTANEOUS) EU info., on notice boards in libr., town halls, railway stations, post offices CD-Rom National or regional government information offices Trade Unions or professional associations UE info. offices, Euro-info Centers, Euro-info points, Euro-librairies, etc. A member of European Parliament or a member of (NATIONAL PARLIAMENT) DK Other organisations (consumer organisations, etc.) Other (SPONTANEOUS)

24 4 Socio-demographic analysis : How much do you feel you are participating in the political debate about enlargement? (Q. 37) EU15 Average 1,53 Gender Age Education Income Main home European Political party preference Professional status Male 1,6 Female 1, years 1, years 1, years 1, years 1,6 Up to 15 years 1, years 1,5 0 + years 1,7 Still studying 1,5 «- -» 1,4 «-» 1,5 «+» 1,6 «+ +» 1,6 Rural area or village 1,5 Small or middle sized town 1,6 Large town 1,6 PSE 1,5 PPE 1,6 ELDR 1,5 GUE / NGL 1,7 FE 1,8 RDE 1,8 V 1,7 ARE 1,5 IEDN 1,5 NI 1,7 Not represented 1,6 Self-employed 1,6 Manager 1,8 Other white collars 1,5 Manual workers 1,5 House person 1,4 Unemployed 1,4 Retired 1,5 Students 1,5 4

25 5 4 OPTIONS, FORECASTS AND FEARS OF EU CITIZENS WITHIN THE PERSPECTIVE OF ENLARGEMENT 4.1 THREE OPTIONS FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE OF THE EU Question (N 38) : Which of these 3 options do you prefer for the immediate future of the European Union? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) option N 1 (44% of responses): the European Union should be enlarged to include only some of the countries wishing to join option N (1% of responses): the European Union should be enlarged to include all the countries wishing to join option N 3 (14% of responses): the European Union should not be enlarged to include any additional countries 15% of the respondents have no opinion on the subject THREE OPTIONS FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE OF THE EU (QUESTION N 38) Q Which of these three options do you prefer for the immediate future of the European Union? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) (Answers EU15,%) The European Union should be enlarged to include only some of the countries w hishing to join The European Union should be enlarged to include all the countries w hishing to join 1 44 DK 15 The European Union should not be enlarged to include any additional countries 14 None of these (SPONTANEOUS) Which EU Member states will benefit from enlargement? Question (N 39 - a) : Which one of the current member countries do you think will benefit most from enlargement of the European Union? (ONE ANSWER ONLY) More than one respondent in three (36%) has no opinion regarding which one of the current member countries will benefit most from enlargement of the European Union Germany is the country which attracts the highest score: 18% For 1% of respondents, the enlargement process will be beneficial to all Member States 5

26 6 4.3 Desired speed of the enlargement process Question (N 41) : Do you personally think that the process of new countries joining the European Union should be speeded up, slowed down or stay as it is? EU average: (based on the following scale: 1 Slowed down, Stay as it is, 3 Speeded up ) Figures behind the EU average: 16% feel the process should be speeded up; 15% say this process should be slowed down; finally, 48% feel the process should stay as it is SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS (QUESTION N Q41) 4 3,5 Q. 41. Do you personally think that the process of new countries joining the European Union should be sped up, slowed down or stay as it is? 3,5 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,8 1,9,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,3,4 1,5 1 A D WEST D TOTAL D OST FIN NL L F UK *EU 15* B Average 1: Sped up, : Stay as it is, 3: Slow ed dow n DK P IRL S E I GR 5 ENLARGING THE E.U.: UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS? Question (N 4) : For each of the following, do you think it is very important, fairly important, not very important or not at all important in deciding whether a particular country is ready The country has to respect human rights and the principles of democracy: 79% of Europeans think this is very important Its economic development has to be close to the EU level: 48% of Europeans think this is very important It has to apply all EU rules: 69% of Europeans think this is very important Its joining of the Union should not be costly for existing member states: 58% of Europeans think this is very important (EU average: 3,5; please see chart on following page) It has to be actively committed to fighting organised crime and drug trafficking: 76% of Europeans think this is very important It has to be actively committed to protecting the environment: 70% of Europeans think this is very important It has to be able to pay its share of the EU budget: 6% of Europeans think this is very important 6

27 7 SHARING THE COST OF ENLARGEMENT (QUESTION N Q4 4) Q For each of the following, do you think this is very important, etc. in deciding whether a particular country is ready to join the European Union? ITS JOINING SHOULD NOT BE COSTLY FOR EXISTING MEMBER COUNTRIES 4 3,5 3,5 1,5 1 DK NL,9 3,0 3,1 3,3 3,4 S P L *EU 15* 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,5 3,6 3,6 3,6 3,6 3,6 3,7 I E IRL FIN D WEST D TOTAL F B D OST UK A GR Average 1: Not at all important, : Not very important, 3: Fairly important, 4: Very important 6 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS Question (N 43-1) : Do you tend to agree or tend to disagree with each of the following statements? The list below shows the three statements which obtain the greatest support from EU public opinion (presented in descending order): Enlargement unites our continent: 67% tend to agree Enlargement will make the European Union stronger politically: 63% tend to agree Enlargement secures peace in Europe: 60% tend to agree Statements which attract the greatest opposition (presented in descending order): Enlargement will help to create more jobs in (our country): 48% tend to disagree (against 9% who tend to agree) Enlargement will help to increase people s quality of life in (our country): 45% tend to disagree (against 9% who tend to agree) If our government is in favour of it, it means that enlargement is a good thing: 39% tend to disagree (against 35% who tend to agree) 7

28 8 Socio-demographic analysis : Enlargement unites our continent (Q. 43.1) EU15 Average 67% («Tend to agree») Gender Age Education Income Main home European Political party preference Professional status Male 70% Female 65% 15-4 years 66% 5-39 years 69% years 69% 55 + years 65% Up to 15 years 6% years 66% 0 + years 74% Still studying 71% «- -» 64% «-» 68% «+» 70% «+ +» 73% Rural area or village 67% Small or middle sized town 66% Large town 69% PSE 7% PPE 71% ELDR 64% GUE / NGL 75% FE 76% RDE 58% V 75% ARE 58% IEDN 54% NI 73% Not represented 68% Self-employed 70% Manager 80% Other white collars 70% Manual workers 63% House person 6% Unemployed 67% Retired 64% Students 71% 8

29 9 ISSUE ANALYSIS N 3 : SUPPORT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION Chapter three of the report deals with the following issue: to what extent do EU citizens support the process of European integration? From a socio-political perspective this last part analyses the four following topics: - Positive and negative aspects of the European Union - Feeling of belonging to a geographical unit - EU citizens judgement on the actions of the Union - The way EU citizens see at Europe 1 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Question (N 3 - a) : In your opinion, what are the two most positive aspects of the European Union today? - TOTAL MENTIONS please see chart on following page 44% of respondents feel that the introduction of the euro is a very positive aspect of the EU the second highest response (4%) comes from the people who have no opinion on the subject free movement of people for travelling, working and studying attracts the third most popular response 1.1 The two most negatives aspects Question (N 3 - b) : And what are the two most negative aspects of the European Union today? TOTAL MENTIONS More than one respondents in two (5%) has no opinion on the subject The first response (other than Don t know ) states that there are no negative aspects (1%) three aspects attract the same level of response (9%): the end of national currency, inflation and immigration FEELING OF BELONGING TO A GEOGRAPHICAL UNIT Question (N 47 - d) : Q d) People may feel different degrees of attachment to their town or village, to their region, to their country or to European Union. Please tell me how attached you feel to THE EUROPEAN UNION? please see chart on page 6 EU average:,3 (based on the following scale: 1 Not at all attached, Not very attached, 3 Fairly attached, 4 Very attached ) Figures underlying the EU average: 9% feel very attached to the EU; 30% say they are fairly attached; 35% feel not very attached and 1% not at all attached 9

30 30 TWO MOST POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (QUESTION N 3 A) Q.3. - a) In your opinion, what are the two most positive aspects of the European Union today? - TOTAL MENTIONS (Answers EU15,%) One single currency, the euro, no exchange needed, easier payments DK 4 44 Free movement of people for travelling Free movement of people for working / studying 1 1 Economic growth/stronger economy, free market, easier to trade, development No positive aspects (SPONTANEOUS) A stronger, united Europe, many countries, all countries involved M ore cooperation, better communication between M ember States M ore security and stability in Europe, peace 6 7 Other (SPONTANEOUS) Legal, fiscal/tax and social harmonisation M ore say for the European Union at the international level Diversity / inter-cultural exchange M ore possibilities for employment, more jobs, easier to find work in the EU Common fight against terrorism, crime, drug trafficking M ore EU funds allocated to our country Enlargement to include new countries Life is cheaper, better prices Better protection of the environment I am not interested in Europe (SPONTANEOUS)

31 31 Socio-demographic analysis : How attached you feel to the European Union? (Q. 47.d) EU15 Average,3 Gender Age Education Income Main home European Political party preference Professional status Male,4 Female, 15-4 years, years, years, years,3 Up to 15 years, years,3 0 + years,4 Still studying,3 «- -», «-»,3 «+»,4 «+ +»,4 Rural area or village,3 Small or middle sized town,3 Large town,3 PSE PPE,4 ELDR, GUE / NGL, FE,7 RDE,4 V,3 ARE,3 IEDN 1,8 NI,5 Not represented,5 Self-employed,4 Manager,4 Other white collars,4 Manual workers, House person, Unemployed, Retired,3 Students,3 31

32 3 FEELINGS OF ATTACHMENT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (QUESTION N 47 D) 4 Q.47. d) People may feel different degrees of attachment to their town or village, to their region, to their country or to European Union. Please tell me how attached you fell to the EUROPEAN UNION? 3,5 3,5 1,9,0,0,1,,,,3,3,3,3,3,3,4,4,6,7,9 1,5 1 FIN UK NL GR S D OST E D TOTAL *EU 15* DK D WEST IRL Average 1: Not at all attached, : Not very attached, 3: Fairly attached, 4: Very attached B A F P I L 3 EU CITIZENS JUDGEMENTS ON THE ACTIONS OF THE UNION Questions (N 50 & 51) : Q,50 - For each of the following areas, do you think action taken by the European Union is, or would be very effective, fairly effective, not very effective or not at all effective? Q,51 - I am going to read out a list of actions that the European Union could undertake, For each one, please tell me if in your opinion, it should be a priority, or not? Below are listed a selection of three groups of statements which are presented in a descending order according to three criteria: (action taken by the European Union is) effective / not effective / a priority: * Successfully implementing the single European currency, the Euro * Maintaining peace and security in Europe * Guaranteeing the rights of the individual and respect for the principles of democracy in Europe Effective Not effective Priority Not a priority 75% 15% 70% % 70% 18% 89% 6% 61% % 81% 11% 3

33 33 Effective Not effective Priority Not a priority * Fighting unemployment 43% 45% 89% 6% * The fight against illegal immigration * Guaranteeing the quality of food products 45% 4% 80% 13% 57% 41% 84% 10% Effective Not effective Priority Not a priority * Maintaining peace and security in Europe 70% 18% 89% 6% * Fighting unemployment 43% 45% 89% 6% * Fighting poverty and social exclusion 45% 40% 88% 7% 4 THE WAY EU CITIZENS SEE THE EUROPEAN UNION 4.1 Interest in being a member of the EU Question (N 5) : Do you think that (OUR COUNTRY)'s membership of the European Union is an advantage or a disadvantage when it comes to defending the interests of (OUR COUNTRY)? (IF AN ADVANTAGE) Is it a major advantage or a slight advantage? (IF A DISADVANTAGE) Is it a major disadvantage or a slight disadvantage? 6% of respondents think that their country s membership of the EU is an advantage when it comes to defending their national interests: 8% think it is a major advantage and 34% state it is a slight advantage on the other hand, 8% of the respondents think it is a slight disadvantage and 7% a major disadvantage (while 1% of Europeans fell it is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage) 4. For or against the European Union? Question (N 53) : Using this scale from 1 to 10, how favourable would you say you are towards the European Union? please see chart on following page EU average: 6, (based on a scale ranging from 1 Not at all favourable to 10 Extremely favourable ) A majority of respondents are rather favourable towards the European Union. Indeed, when aggregating the answers of weight 6 or more, the final percentage is 61% 33

34 34 HOW FAVOURABLE ARE EU CITIZENS TOWARDS THE EU? (QUESTION N 53) Q Using this scale from 1 to 10, how favourable would you say you are towards the European Union ,9 5, 5,4 5,5 5,8 5,9 5,9 5,9 5,9 6, 6,4 6,5 6,7 6,9 6,9 7,1 7,4 7, UK S FIN D OST A D TOTAL DK F D WEST *EU 15* NL B E IRL GR P L I 34

35 35 Socio-demographic analysis : (Using this scale from 1 to 10) How favourable would you say you are towards the European Union? (Q. 53) EU15 Average 6, Gender Age Education Income Main home European Political party preference Professional status Male 6,4 Female years 6, years 6, years 6, years 6 Up to 15 years years years 6,7 Still studying 6,7 «- -» 5,9 «-» 6 «+» 6,3 «+ +» 6,5 Rural area or village 6, Small or middle sized town 6, Large town 6, PSE 6,3 PPE 6 ELDR 5,9 GUE / NGL 6 FE 7,8 RDE 6,3 V 6,5 ARE 5,9 IEDN 5,6 NI 7 Not represented 6,4 Self-employed 6,6 Manager 6,6 Other white collars 6,5 Manual workers 5,9 House person 6 Unemployed 5,5 Retired 6 Students 6,7 4.3 Complexity of the EU decision-making process: how does the European Union work? Question (N 57) : Do you tend to agree or tend to disagree with the following statements? Nearly six respondents out of ten (57%) tend to disagree with the following statement: I understand how the European Union works On the contrary, only 30% of the respondents tend to agree with this statement ***** 35