61 percent of Bulgarians believe that our country has benefited from EU membership. This indicator is the lowest in the entire community, but it marks an increase of 8 percentage points compared to the previous survey from June-July last year.
This is shown by the results of a Eurobarometer survey for the European Parliament, conducted between January 9 and February 4 in all 27 member states.
74 percent of EU citizens believe that their country has benefited from its membership in the community. This is the highest result ever recorded in a Eurobarometer survey on this question since it was first asked in 1983.
As the main reason for the benefit of membership, 35% of respondents point to the EU's contribution to maintaining peace and strengthening security. Bulgaria has received 32 billion leva from EU funds during its years of EU membership. For 54% of respondents in Bulgaria, the biggest benefit is the job opportunities provided by the EU.
In second place - with 29% each - are maintaining peace and strengthening security, as well as improving cooperation between member states. 66% or two thirds of European citizens want the EU to take on a more important role in protecting against global crises and security risks. In Bulgaria, this percentage is 62.
EU citizens generally believe that member states need to be more united in order to be able to deal with current global challenges - 89%. For 76 percent, the EU needs more funds to deal with upcoming challenges. Here too, the data for Bulgaria is close to the EU average – 84% and 73% respectively.
Does the European Union guarantee sufficient economic well-being for defense and security - 36%, as well as competitiveness, economy and industry - 32%, are identified as the areas on which the EU should focus the most in order to strengthen its position in the world.
In Bulgaria, competitiveness, economy and industry - 35% are identified as the most key topics, followed by energy dependence, resources and infrastructure - 34%, demography, migration and population aging - 28% and food security and agriculture - 28%. Defense and security, which are at the top in Europe, are only in fifth place in our country with 26 percent.