Young Greeks in the dark about EU achievements

An 84 percent majority of Greeks aged between 16-25 say that peace is the most important result of the country’s membership in the European Union, according to an upcoming survey, which also found that 24 percent are unable to name three or more achievements of the 28-member club.

The online survey, which will be published in full on Wednesday, was conducted by pro-European think tank To Diktio (The Network) with the help of MAD TV on a sample of 1,173 high-school and university students using a multiple-choice questionnaire.

Asked if they think that Greece’s membership of the 28-member bloc improves their daily life, just over 37 percent gave a negative answer.

Whereas most of those who took part in the poll said they are in favor of closer European integration, only a minority said they consider the establishment of welfare states a significant contribution of the EU process.

Meanwhile, 86 percent agreed it is “very significant” that they can travel, live, study or work freely across the EU, while 72 percent said it is positive that “we have a common strong currency which makes our transactions easier.”

Finally, 83 percent said that the union can play a key role in “protecting fundamental rights regardless of gender, race, religion, disability or age.”

Greece joined the EEC, the predecessor of today’s EU, in 1981.