By Melike Pala
BRUSSELS (AA) - More than two-thirds of Europeans believe their country is under threat, while a majority trust the European Union to play a stronger role in defense and security, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey released on Friday.
The Flash Eurobarometer, done at the beginning of January across the EU’s 27 member states, shows that 68% of respondents think their country is under threat.
The highest perception of threat was seen in France (80%), followed by the Netherlands and Denmark (77%), and the Greek Cypriot Administration and Germany (75%).
At the same time, 42% of respondents said they believe their personal safety is at risk.
A slim majority of Europeans, 52%, said they trust the EU to strengthen security and defense. Trust levels were particularly high in Luxembourg (76%), Portugal (74%), the Greek Cypriot Administration (73%), and Lithuania (71%).
Support for defense spending also remains strong.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) either approve of the EU's current level of investment in defense or believe it should be increased.
Backing for higher or sustained defense spending was especially pronounced in Lithuania (80%), Portugal (89%), Finland (83%), Spain (80%), and Denmark (78%).
The survey also highlighted the perceived importance of EU space policy in addressing security challenges.
Some 53% of respondents identified security and defense as a key priority for EU space policy, followed by the environment and climate (36%) and competitiveness and the growth of European industry (31%).