North Macedonia Shows Fragile Trust in EU – Highest Optimism in Albania and Montenegro

According to the latest results from the Autumn 2024 Eurobarometer, 54% of citizens in North Macedonia say they trust the European Union, while 42% tend not to trust it, reports Flaka Media. This marks a slight decrease compared to last year, when the trust level stood at 56%.

At the regional level, Montenegro (83%) and Albania (80%) display the highest levels of trust toward the EU, while Serbia remains the most skeptical, with only 37% of citizens expressing trust and 57% expressing distrust.

In Kosovo, trust in the EU is also high, with 79% of citizens holding a positive view. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 58% of citizens trust the EU, while 37% do not.

When it comes to EU membership, optimism is strongest in Albania and Montenegro, where over 80% of citizens believe that accession would be a good thing. In North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, support for EU membership is between 50% and 60%, while in Serbia, only 34% of citizens think joining the EU would be positive.

Within the EU itself, 54% of citizens support enlargement, while 39% are opposed. However, skepticism is more pronounced in some member states:

• Germany and Austria: Only 42% support enlargement, while 53% oppose it
• France: 41% in favor, 49% against – though the number of opponents has decreased since the previous Eurobarometer

The Eurobarometer results reflect the complex dynamics of public perception toward the EU – a mixture of aspiration for integration and frustration with the prolonged accession process, especially in countries like North Macedonia.

Flaka Media