EU: Irish people support the EU having common foreign, security and defence policies, but by lower margins than those of most other member states, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey of public opinion.
The survey, carried out in each of the 25 states and the applicant states on behalf of the European Commission, shows that 77 per cent across Europe support the concept of a common European security and defence policy. A common defence policy is supported by 68 per cent.
In contrast, just 58 per cent of Irish people support the idea of a shared security and defence policy, the second-lowest figure and just ahead of Turkey (57 per cent).
Support for such a policy was as high as 92 per cent in Belgium, 88 per cent in Cyprus, Latvia and Slovakia, and 87 per cent in Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic, and 85 per cent in Slovenia.
The lowest levels of support were found in Finland (60 per cent), the UK (59 per cent), Ireland (58 per cent) and Turkey (57 per cent).
While 68 per cent of Europeans support a common foreign policy, just 57 per cent of Irish people do so.
A country breakdown for those in favour of a common foreign policy shows Cyprus (81 per cent), Germany (78 per cent), Belgium (77 per cent) and Slovenia (77 per cent) are highest. The lowest support is in Sweden (54 per cent), Malta (54 per cent), Turkey (51 per cent) and the UK (50 per cent).
The poll was conducted among 30,000 people between October 11th and November 15th last in the 25 states of the EU, the two acceding countries (Bulgaria and Romania), the two candidate countries (Croatia and Turkey) and the non-government-controlled area of Cyprus.
The 57 per cent of Irish people supporting a common foreign policy is the lowest figure for several years, although the changes have been modest. In October 2004, 62 per cent of Irish people supported it; in March 2004, 66 per cent supported it; and in June 2003, 67 per cent backed it.
The 58 per cent support for a common security and defence policy contrasts with 51 per cent recorded in April, 2003, and 60 per cent in March, 2004. The high levels of support for both policies throughout Europe have remained stable over the past year.
A higher proportion of people are in favour of a common defence policy in the 10 new states (85 per cent) compared to the old states (75 per cent). Similarly, a difference of seven points between old and new states was recorded for those in favour of a common foreign policy (67 per cent and 74 per cent respectively).