Cypriots are more likely to use the European Citizens’ Initiative than any other Europeans, according to the November Eurobarometer.
The results of the Eurobarometer were presented Thursday at the EU House in Nicosia. According to the results, Cypriots are the first among the EU 27 who would like to know more about their rights as EU citizens.
In November, when the survey was conducted, Cypriots felt less Europeans than six months ago during the previous Eurobarometer, despite the fact that the survey took place during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
A total of 55% of Cypriots interviewed said they felt EU citizens (EU-27 was 63%). In comparison to Spring 2012, Cypriots felt in Autumn less Europeans (in Spring it was 62%). Citizens from Luxembourg ranked first (87%), while Greeks ranked last (46%).
Cypriots rank first among the EU-27 as regards the use of the European Citizens’ Initiative, which is an invitation to the European Commission by at least one million EU citizens from at least seven countries, to propose legislation on matters where the EU has competence to legislate. The areas in which they would like the Commission to intervene would be employment, followed by protection of consumers, fundamental rights and education.
The vast majority of Cypriots (85%) said they would like to know more about their rights in the EU, (like medical treatment, work, education and residence in another EU country), which is the highest percentage in the EU-27.
As regards expectations from the EU, the first expectation of the Cypriots was the improvement of the economic situation and the exit from the crisis. Only 2% of Cypriots, (just like the EU average) said they expect their country to exit the EU or the Eurozone.
Cypriots believe that the most positive achievement of the EU was prevailing peace among the member states, followed by free movement of people, goods and services and exchange programs, such as Erasmus.
The majority of Cypriots said they did not benefit from their right to work, live, or study in another EU country.
Meanwhile, 82% of Cypriots said they believed that their fellow citizens are not well informed about the EU, which is the highest percentage together with the French and Italians.
