In the eyes of a growing number of citizens, belonging to the EU is a good thing. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey of Europeans’ attitudes, figures are virtually back at their pre-crisis levels in 2007.
The survey, commissioned by the Parliament shows that EU membership is a good thing in the eyes of 64% of the Maltese. This figure is 7 percentage points higher than that perceived by the EU average (57%).
European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said: "The findings of the European Parliament survey of Europeans’ attitudes towards the European Union are, for the first time since the start of the crisis in 2007, very encouraging. They show that European citizens expect the Union to respond with a single voice to their very acute fears about recent international upheavals that have made the world more uncertain and dangerous. It is up to us, as political leaders, to show them that they are right. To this end, we must persuade them, by our daily work and our decisions, that the Union can both protect and improve their daily lives."
Malta’s voice counts in the EU
79% of Maltese consider that Malta’s voice counts in the European Union, up by 3 percentage points from last year. This figure is much higher than that registered for the EU average (63%). At the same time, 47% of Maltese perceive that their voice counts at EU level, with the majority of respondents stating that they are quite interested in European affairs (62%).
Need for more EU action to fight against terrorism, unemployment, tax fraud
Migration is one of the biggest concerns to the Maltese citizens, with 85% of respondents saying that the European Union should do more than what it is doing at the moment.
Furthermore, the Maltese would like the EU to do more in addressing current challenges, such as the fight against terrorism (83%) and unemployment (78%) and tackling tax fraud (75%). These figures are at the same level of the majority of European respondents.
Reacting to the latest geopolitical events, such as the growing instability in the Arab world, the increasing influence of Russia and China, Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, up to 73% of respondents prefer the EU to find a common response over individual national actions.
On addressing the challenges posed by Brexit, 75% of the Maltese believe that Malta would be better placed if it acts jointly with other EU Member States rather than acting individually. While 75% of Maltese are concerned with the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States of America, and prefer that the EU responds with a single voice.