Most Lithuanians feel benefits of EU membership - poll

BNS

 

More than two thirds, 74 percent, of the population in Lithuania's five major cities and towns believe that EU membership has been good for their country, according to an opinion poll published by the Veidas magazine on Monday.

 

Prime Consulting conducted the poll ahead of the fifth anniversary of Lithuania's accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004.

 

Almost half of respondents, 46.6 percent, believe that Lithuania has benefited greatly from joining the EU and 27.4 percent think that it has somewhat benefited. Less than one-fifth of those polled, 17.8 percent, believe that EU membership has given almost no benefit to the country or has even been detrimental to it.

 

However, there are some aspects of EU membership that upset Lithuanians. For example, nearly one-third, 29 percent, of respondents feel that the old EU member states treat Lithuania as a second-rate member, and 24 percent of respondents are disappointed by sharp increases in prices for foodstuffs and industrial products.

 

Some 12.6 percent of respondents think that the EU's financial support to Lithuania is not sufficient and another 11.6 percent believe that wages are rising too slowly.

 

Prime Consulting polled 500 residents of Lithuania's five major cities and towns on Apr. 20 through 22.

 

27-04-2009

 

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