Survey reports two-thirds of Slovaks back further EU enlargement

Some two out three Slovaks support the European Union's further enlargement, compared to the EU-wide average of 47 percent, according to a public opinion poll called Standard Eurobarometer that was conducted in Slovakia from June 13 to 30 on a sample of 1,065 respondents.

The poll also revealed that Slovaks believe that EU institutions should place more emphasis on energy, economic and social issues which would strengthen the union. Thirty-eight percent of Slovaks stressed energy issues, which is double the EU27 average, the TASR newswire wrote on September 27. According to analysts, the high level of concern is due to the energy crisis that hit Slovakia at the beginning of 2009.

In tackling the effects of the economic crisis, 31 percent of Slovaks consider the EU to be the entity that is best-equipped to adopt effective measures against negative impacts of the crisis. The figure is ten percentage points higher than the EU average. A total of 78 percent of Slovaks believe that the EU has sufficient powers and tools to defend its economic interests in today's globalised economy.

Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.