More than two-thirds of citizens in European Union countries feel that their security is increasingly threatened and trust the EU to do more in this area, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey, the EU Commission reports.
“A new Eurobarometer survey released today, ahead of the Munich Security Conference, shows Europeans' growing perception of threat for their countries in the current international situation. The majority of them would also entrust EU with strengthening defence,” the report states.
Investments in this area are seen as important, and EU space programs are regarded as key tools for addressing defense and security challenges, environmental issues, climate, and competitiveness.
The most striking result is that over two-thirds of Europeans (68%) believe their country is under threat.
Member states with the highest perceived threat levels are France (80%), followed by the Netherlands and Denmark (77%), as well as Cyprus and Germany (75%).
At the same time, 42% of citizens feel that their personal safety is at risk.
Most Europeans trust the EU to enhance security and defense (52%), particularly in countries such as Luxembourg (76%), Portugal (74%), Cyprus (73%), and Lithuania (71%).
Against the backdrop of several related initiatives implemented over the past year, nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) approve of the current level of EU defense investment or believe spending should be increased. Support is especially high in Lithuania (80%), Portugal (89%), Finland (83%), Spain (80%), and Denmark (78%).
Security and defense are also considered a key priority for EU space policy by 53% of Europeans, followed by environment and climate (36%) and competitiveness and growth of European industry (31%). Additionally, the positive economic impact of EU space programs is widely recognized by the youngest respondents (55%).
