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<\/p>\nThe latest Eurobarometer survey released last May 28 reveals the highest level of trust in the European Union in 18 years and the highest-ever support for the euro. In the current geopolitical context, Europeans would also like to see a stronger and more assertive EU through a common defence and security policy, while peace remains the value that best represents the EU.<\/p>\n
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Trust in the EU is at its highest in 18 years<\/strong><\/p>\n 52% of Europeans trust the EU, the highest result since 2007<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong>The level of trust is highest among young people aged 15-24 (59%). Setting another 18-year record, 52% of Europeans say they trust the European Commission, with scoring again particularly high among young citizens (57%). At the same time, 36% of Europeans say they trust their national government and 37% say they trust their national parliament.<\/p>\n Three quarters of respondents (75%) – the highest level in more than two decades – say they\u00a0feel they are citizens of the EU.<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition, more than six in ten EU citizens (62%) are also\u00a0optimistic about the future of the EU<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Europeans strongly support the euro<\/strong><\/p>\n The Eurobarometer survey registered\u00a0the highest support ever for the common currency<\/strong>, both in the EU (74%) and in the euro area (83%). When it comes to the perception of the situation of the European economy,\u00a044%\u00a0<\/strong>of Europeans find it\u00a0good\u00a0<\/strong>while\u00a048% find it bad<\/strong>. A majority of citizens (43%) still think the European economic situation will remain stable in the next 12 months.<\/p>\n Europeans want a stronger and more assertive EU<\/strong><\/p>\n Almost seven in ten respondents (69%) agree that\u00a0t<\/strong>he European Union\u00a0<\/strong>is\u00a0a place of stability<\/strong>\u00a0in a troubled world.<\/p>\n Nearly nine in ten Europeans (88%) agree that there should be\u00a0more rules-based cooperation\u00a0<\/strong>between countries and regions of the world. More than four in five EU citizens (86%) agree that increasing customs tariffs is harmful for the global economy. Nevertheless, if other countries increase their duties on imports from the EU, 80% of respondents agree that\u00a0the EU should impose customs tariffs\u00a0<\/strong>in response\u00a0to defend its interests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n More than eight in ten (81%) support a\u00a0common defence and security policy<\/strong>\u00a0among Member States \u2013 the\u00a0highest result<\/strong>\u00a0since 2004. At the same time, 78% are concerned about the EU’s defence and security in the next five years.<\/p>\n When it comes to priorities for the EU budget, European citizens would like the\u00a0EU budget<\/strong>\u00a0to be spent on\u00a0defence and security<\/strong>\u00a0(43%)\u00a0employment, social affairs and public health<\/strong>\u00a0(42%) and\u00a0education, training, youth, culture and media<\/strong>\u00a0(34%, stable). With 40%, security and defence is also the top area which citizens think should benefit from more increased EU funding, followed by energy transition\/affordable energy (32%).<\/p>\n According to Europeans,\u00a0the EU should take measures<\/strong>\u00a0in the medium-term in the area of\u00a0security and defence<\/strong>\u00a0(39%), followed by the\u00a0economy<\/strong>\u00a0(29%),\u00a0migration<\/strong>\u00a0(24%) and\u00a0climate and the environment<\/strong>\u00a0(24%). At the same time, 44% of European citizens think that\u00a0ensuring peace and stability<\/strong>\u00a0will have the highest positive impact on their life in the short term, followed by\u00a0securing food, health, and industry supplies in the EU<\/strong>\u00a0(27%) and creating more\u00a0job opportunities<\/strong>\u00a0(26%).<\/p>\n