According to the most recent public opinion poll, published by Eurobarometer on 10 October, public support for the priorities of some policies of the European Union is continuously growing in the ten new member states and in the three candidate countries. The survey is the most recent to be conducted both in the ten countries that will become full members of the EU in May next year, and in Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. The questionnaire covered the attitude of citizens to a series of issues concerning the EU and its policies and the lifestyle and prospects of citizens. A total of 12,126 people took part in the survey, conducted in the thirteen countries between 16 June and 18 July. The results show a constant growth of popular support for EU membership (79%), for the euro (72%) and for a common decision-making process in the EU on matters of foreign policy and defence (74%). In particular, citizens consider that the main priorities of the Union ought to be efforts to reduce unemployment and poverty, crackdown on terrorism and organized crime, and maintain peace and security in Europe. Some 80% of those interviewed in the countries about to join the EU are in favour of a rapid-reaction European army.
