Half of EU citizens support Bulgaria's accession to the Union, a survey shows. The percentages are almost identical to the support showed for Croatia (52 per cent) and higher than the support for Romania (45 per cent). EU citizens showed greater support for the eventual accession of Switzerland, Norway and Iceland than for Balkan countries. The 10 countries that joined the EU in May 2004 have a more positive opinion than older Union members. Support in original member states is 46 per cent. The newly accepted countries' positive vote reached 70 per cent. Several countries expressed opposition to Bulgaria's entry to the EU. In Austria, nearly 68 per cent were against. In Germany, only 35 per cent of those surveyed supported Bulgaria's accession. In both countries opposition has increased compared to a similar survey last year. In Sweden, Finland and Greece, support is more than 60 per cent. Support in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK exceeded 50 per cent.
At the same time, nearly 60 per cent of all Bulgarians approved the acceptance of the euro. Nearly 78 per cent approved overall EU policies. (Dnevnik)