According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 50 percent of respondents in Austria reject the inclusion of other countries to the European Union, only 45 percent are positive about an expansion (rest to 100: no specification). More skepticism compared to the EU expansion than in Austria can only be found in the Czech Republic and France, where the admission of new countries is only approved by 43 percent of those surveyed.
However, there is a majority of 56 percent of those surveyed across the EU who are positive about an EU expansion. Among the most glowing supporters of an EU expansion with consent rates of 70 percent and more include citizens in Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Finland and Poland.
As the greatest advantages of recording new member countries, the surveyed across the EU see a larger internal market, a stronger weight of the EU in world politics, more security and more job opportunities. Uncontrolled migration, corruption, organized crimes and terrorism as well as the costs for European taxpayers are mentioned as the greatest concerns.
Ukraine and Montenegro most popular
If you look at the candidate countries in detail, none in Austria receives a majority (see graphic). The most popular in this country are EU joining Ukraine, Montenegros and Bosnia-Herzegovinas (40 percent each), followed by Serbia (39 percent) and northern Macedonia (34 percent). In the back ranks there are Moldau (33 percent), Albania (30 percent), Georgia (29 percent), Kosovo (28 percent) and the (already unrealistic) admission of Türkiye (19 percent). Ukraine and Montenegro also receive the highest approval rates in the EU average, Turkey the lowest.
The survey is the basis of consultations by the Minister of European European Europeans who will discuss the expansion in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
Plakolm: “Access of accession takes too long”
Austria’s European Minister Claudia Plakolm (VP) was not surprised by the results of the survey. “The process has been going on for over 20 years without becoming visible. It is completely clear that you lose the belief in it and also get the advantages into the background,” said Plakolm on Tuesday. Because of the government exam taking place at the same time, she does not take part in the informal meeting of the European Minister in Copenhagen. “The accession process takes too long, we risk that the mood in the accession countries on the Western Balkans also deteriorates,” said Plakolm. “People need a clear path on both sides, which is implemented quickly and with noticeable steps.”
Montenegro and Albania Frontrunner
EU extension commissioner Marta Kos recently described Montenegro and Albania as the most advanced candidates that both countries could join the EU before 2030. Montenegro wants to complete the EU accession talks as early as 2026 and join the Union 2028 as the 28th member country. The accession negotiations with Turkey have practically come to a standstill, in Georgia the pro-Russian government party “Georgian Dream” pushed the accession negotiations with the EU on the long bank. Serbia must achieve normalization of his relationships with Kosovo before joining the EU. Kosovo itself is not only recognized by Serbia, but also by five EU countries.
The last EU expansion round so far took place with Croatia in 2013. Since then, the European Union has become even smaller due to the UK’s exit 2020 (Brexit).
Source: Nachrichten
