EU NEIGHBOURS south and its opinion polling partner KANTAR PUBLIC conducted a face-to-face survey in Southern Mediterranean countries to assess general perceptions of the European Union and the values with which it is associated.

Overall, more than half (53%) of the people in Algeria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia have a positive view of the European Union. 76% of people in the Maghreb region say that relations between their country and the EU are good, compared to 64% in the Mashrek countries, while both regions overwhelmingly see EU financial support as being effective (88% Maghreb and 85% Mashrek).

For people in the two regions, gender equality and human rights are the most important values promoted by the EU. Citizens in the Maghreb countries feel EU support has contributed most to trade (37%) and tourism (33%) in their countries, while in the Mashrek education (32%) and economic development (22%) are the most frequently cited areas. In both regions, respondents want the EU to play an even greater role in promoting trade, economic development and human rights.

The opinion poll was conducted from April-June 2017 in Maghreb countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) and Mashrek countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Israel).

A rep­resentative sample of around 1,000 people per country was interviewed. The annual surveys are now into their second year, with the first wave carried out in Spring 2016.

To read the full report 2017, please click here.

The regional and country factsheets 2017 can be downloaded in English on this page.

Also read about the Opinion Poll 2016 (report).

Content produced in partnership with Cineuropa.