The survey also found that just 49% of citizens view membership of the European Union as a good thing. Photo by EPA/BGNES
No more than 42% of Europeans say they trust the European Union, according to a new Eurobarometer poll.
The survey also found that just 49% of citizens view membership of the European Union as a good thing, while 47% said they do not trust the EU. Even prospective members have gone cold on the European project, with just 27% of Turks saying they trust Brussels.
For the first time, the Eurobarometer included Iceland, which is currently in talks to join the EU. A startling 35% said they trusted the Union, while only 29% thought that Iceland would benefit from becoming a member.
The research was done in May at the peak of negotiations on the EUR 720 B eurozone rescue fund.
A Commission spokesperson said the results show that citizens are asking for "more Europe", adding that the news comes as a boost ahead of next month's informal EU summit, which will focus on economic governance.