51 percent of Serbians in favor of EU membership

BELGRADE More than half of Serbian population, 51 percent, support the country's membership in the European Union. At the same time, 39 percent see the fight against corruption as one of the most significant reforms, a public opinion poll carried out by the Serbian Government's European Integration Office has shown. 51 percent of Serbians in favor of EU membership According to the office, "if a referendum were held tomorrow" with the question "Do you support Serbia's EU accession?", 51 percent of the citizens would vote “Yes”, which is one percent more compared to the previous poll, while 22 percent, or two percent less, would vote against. Also, 20 percent of the respondents would not vote, and seven percent are unsure of their answer. "This level of support to our country's EU integration process is explained with the fact that the citizens see EU membership in a more positive light due to the start of EU accession talks," states the release. For 44 percent of respondents, Serbia's membership in the EU would be a good thing, 26 percent see it as a bad, and 29 percent as neither good, nor a bad thing. The majority of citizens, 68 percent, believe that the reforms necessary for EU accession should be implemented even if they were not a condition for the membership. Although the percentage of citizens who think that Kosovo-Metohija is the main condition for Serbia to receive the start date for EU accession talks is lower compared to earlier polls, 39 percent of respondent still see this issue as the main obstacle in Serbia's accession process. As many as 70 percent of citizens understand the significance of this issue and hold that the problems between Belgrade and Pristina should be addressed whether the EU demands it or not. As the main factors hindering Serbia's EU accession, the citizens cited the EU policy of constant conditioning (38 percent), "incompetence of national leaders" (12 percent) and the mentality of citizens and their reluctance to accept changes (11 percent). The poll showed that 34 percent of citizens would be ready to undergo further education and training due to the EU membership, which is seven percent more than in 2012. For a large number of respondents, 45 percent, the EU membership still represents a pathway to a better future for the young people, better employment options (42 percent) and the possibility of free movement within the EU (40 percent). The research titled "European orientation of the citizens of Serbia - trends", conducted by the EU Integration Office in December 2013, was carried out in accordance with the Eurobarometer standards on a sample of 1,038 respondents over 18 years of age. The Serbian EU Integration Office has been conducting this poll regularly since 2002. (Beta/AP, file) Tanjug

51 percent of Serbians in favor of EU membership

According to the office, "if a referendum were held tomorrow" with the question "Do you support Serbia's EU accession?", 51 percent of the citizens would vote “Yes”, which is one percent more compared to the previous poll, while 22 percent, or two percent less, would vote against.

Also, 20 percent of the respondents would not vote, and seven percent are unsure of their answer.

"This level of support to our country's EU integration process is explained with the fact that the citizens see EU membership in a more positive light due to the start of EU accession talks," states the release.

For 44 percent of respondents, Serbia's membership in the EU would be a good thing, 26 percent see it as a bad, and 29 percent as neither good, nor a bad thing.

The majority of citizens, 68 percent, believe that the reforms necessary for EU accession should be implemented even if they were not a condition for the membership.

Although the percentage of citizens who think that Kosovo-Metohija is the main condition for Serbia to receive the start date for EU accession talks is lower compared to earlier polls, 39 percent of respondent still see this issue as the main obstacle in Serbia's accession process.

As many as 70 percent of citizens understand the significance of this issue and hold that the problems between Belgrade and Pristina should be addressed whether the EU demands it or not.

As the main factors hindering Serbia's EU accession, the citizens cited the EU policy of constant conditioning (38 percent), "incompetence of national leaders" (12 percent) and the mentality of citizens and their reluctance to accept changes (11 percent).

The poll showed that 34 percent of citizens would be ready to undergo further education and training due to the EU membership, which is seven percent more than in 2012.

For a large number of respondents, 45 percent, the EU membership still represents a pathway to a better future for the young people, better employment options (42 percent) and the possibility of free movement within the EU (40 percent).

The research titled "European orientation of the citizens of Serbia - trends", conducted by the EU Integration Office in December 2013, was carried out in accordance with the Eurobarometer standards on a sample of 1,038 respondents over 18 years of age.

The Serbian EU Integration Office has been conducting this poll regularly since 2002.