Serbs want EU, Kosovo is "challenge"

As many as 62 percent of Serbians approve of the idea that the country should join the European Union, a new survey has shown. At the same time, 29 percent are opposed to such a development, while 17 percent could not answer the question. Serbs want EU, Kosovo is "challenge" The poll, entitled "How the citizens of Serbia view the transition", was presented by Faculty of Political Science professor and former government's EU integration office chief Tanja Miscevic. The results showed that half of those interviewed believe joining the EU would be good for the future of younger generations, while 43 think it would give them more opportunities to find jobs. 27 percent of respondents said they viewed the EU as "bringing order into the state of the country", 17 percent think it guarantees peace, 16 percent see it as an instrument to protect citizens' rights, while 14 percent described the EU as - an utopia. Asked who would stand to gain the most if Serbia joined, those interviewed said it would be the state, followed by owners of large companies, political parties, citizens, farmers, while as many as one third said no one would benefit from the process. At the same time, 34 percent of respondents said that the citizens of Serbia would be the biggest losers should the country join the EU, 13 percent said farmers would lose the most, while political parties, the state, owners of big companies follow in the list. One third said no one would lose in the process. Miscevic interpreted the results to say that "it was a challenge to the citizens to face the issue of Kosovo Metohija, and joining the EU". This is because given a choice of "either Kosovo or the EU", 47 percent would choose Kosovo, 24 percent the EU, while 29 percent "did not know what to choose". Those hopeful that Serbia will join the organization previously thought this would happen in 2016; now they believe the year is 2017. The survey included 1,813 respondents, and did not include the area of Kosovo and Metohija.

Serbs want EU, Kosovo is "challenge"

The poll, entitled "How the citizens of Serbia view the transition", was presented by Faculty of Political Science professor and former government's EU integration office chief Tanja Miščević.

The results showed that half of those interviewed believe joining the EU would be good for the future of younger generations, while 43 think it would give them more opportunities to find jobs.

27 percent of respondents said they viewed the EU as "bringing order into the state of the country", 17 percent think it guarantees peace, 16 percent see it as an instrument to protect citizens' rights, while 14 percent described the EU as - an utopia.

Asked who would stand to gain the most if Serbia joined, those interviewed said it would be the state, followed by owners of large companies, political parties, citizens, farmers, while as many as one third said no one would benefit from the process.

At the same time, 34 percent of respondents said that the citizens of Serbia would be the biggest losers should the country join the EU, 13 percent said farmers would lose the most, while political parties, the state, owners of big companies follow in the list. One third said no one would lose in the process.

Miščević interpreted the results to say that "it was a challenge to the citizens to face the issue of Kosovo Metohija, and joining the EU".

This is because given a choice of "either Kosovo or the EU", 47 percent would choose Kosovo, 24 percent the EU, while 29 percent "did not know what to choose".

Those hopeful that Serbia will join the organization previously thought this would happen in 2016; now they believe the year is 2017.

The survey included 1,813 respondents, and did not include the area of Kosovo and Metohija.