According to a Special Eurobarometer published by the European Commission, 69% of Cypriots are in favour of further EU enlargement and believe that it will be beneficial for Cyprus.
The corresponding percentage across the EU stands at 56%, while about two-thirds of respondents aged 15 to 39 believe that (potential) candidate countries should join the EU once they meet the necessary conditions.
Respondents in Cyprus said that so far the areas that have benefited most from EU enlargement are culture and health (39% and 38% respectively), followed by the economy and competitiveness and employment with 36%.
Similarly, they believe that further enlargement is expected to bring benefits in work opportunities, more EU security and defense against foreign influence, and more solidarity among member states in times of crisis, such as the pandemic or natural disasters.
Cypriot respondents said they most strongly support Serbia’s accession (72% in favour). This is followed by Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, with respective percentages of 58%, 55%, 51%, and 50%.
On the other hand, only 45% of Cypriots support Ukraine’s accession to the EU, 44% North Macedonia’s, 40% Kosovo’s, 34% Albania’s, and just 13% Turkey’s.
At the EU level, respondents rank Ukraine first in terms of accession preference (52%), followed by Montenegro with 51%, while Turkey gathers the fewest supporters at 37%.
As their main concerns regarding enlargement, Cypriots cite uncontrolled migration and the cost to European taxpayers (51% each), while also stating they would like more information on the costs and benefits of a possible enlargement.
The Special Eurobarometer and the surveys on perceptions of enlargement were conducted through face-to-face interviews between February and June 2025.
(Source: CNA)
