" "eurobarometer" "
While the Convention on the future of Europe prepares to unveil the results of its own work to the Salonica Summit that opens on 20 June, the preliminary data of the opinion poll carried out by the last Eurobarometer the complete results won’t be released till July attest to wide agreement among EU citizens on the European Constitution, but also to a lack of knowledge about the Convention. The opinion poll, based on questions put to 16,410 persons above the age of 15, resident throughout the EU, between 18 March and 30 April, in part during the conflict in Iraq, showed that the majority of citizens (7 out of 10) want the system of having at least one EU Commissioner per member state to continue, and 64% are favourable to the idea of an EU foreign minister. To the question how the President of the Commission should be chosen, the most frequent answer was that he ought to be elected directly by all EU citizens. Half of those interviewed consider that the actual term of office of the presidency of the European Council is insufficient to achieve significant results and should therefore be increased. Some 47% are contrary to the abolition of the right of veto. Approximately 7 interviewees out of 10 consider that the EU ought to have its own seat in the UN Security Council, a military rapid-reaction force and common policies on immigration and asylum. Some 77% believe that EU foreign policy ought to be independent of that of the USA, while 83% expect member states to assume a common position in the event of international crisis. Citizens continue to prefer that decisions on European defence policy be taken by the EU rather than by the individual national governments or by NATO. Over two thirds of citizens are in favour of the principle of a common EU foreign policy, while over three quarters support a common security and defence policy. On the other hand, the poll revealed a considerable degree of ignorance about the work of the Convention. If 63% of those interviewed expressed themselves in favour of a European constitution, against only 10% against, only 39% were able to reply to the questions about the work of the Convention. As regards citizens’ views of the euro, the attitude seems more positive that the preceding poll last autumn. For further data, consult the website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/
