&lt;p>Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union: Graphic, figures and statement by Jaume DUCH, EP Spokesperson. Survey requested by the European Parliament and carried out by Ipsos European Public Affairs out in the 27 Member States on 17 August – 25 August 2021. 26,459 interviews with EU citizens, 15 years and over were conducted.&lt;/p>

Eurobarometer (T)

DUCH GUILLOT, Jaume (ES)

state of the European Union 2021 (T)

Flash Eurobarometer - State of the European Union: Graphic, figures and statement by Jaume DUCH, EP Spokesperson

SOUNDBITE (English), Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, The European Parliament will debate with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the State of the European Union next Wednesday in Strasbourg. Members of course will look back at the past year and assess what lies ahead, but the European Parliament is the direct representation of citizens in the Union, so it is only fitting that we ask citizens their opinion on the State of the European Union ahead of the debate. This survey tells us how citizens see the European Union, what they want us to focus on - and what their main worries and expectations are, so we need this information also to prepare this debate.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, More than 50 percent of the citizens has a positive image of the European Union, and only one out of five holds a negative image.This is the best percentage in many, many years.This reflects what the EU managed to achieve during the pandemic, such as the finally very successful vaccination rollout or the launch of an ambitious and unprecedented recovery package NextGenerationEU. These results reflect also the opinion of the citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, The European Parliament has been clear that EU Recovery Funds should not go to governments that do not respect core democratic values or uphold the Rule of Law. And an overwhelming majority of EU citizens agree exactly with this position: 80% of respondents support this conditionality - and even 85% want effective controls on how the money is spent in the Member States. The European Parliament fully defends this same view: Members are currently closely assessing the national plans with the Commission to ensure these funds are used in line with the objectives of a greener, more digital and resilient European society. And by the way, the survey also shows concerns in a range of EU countries on how well national governments will actually use these additional EU funds, which is why citizens expect and demand effective control.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, There is a clearly a positive expectation on the European recovery plan. 60% of Europeans expect the NextGenerationEU projects to help their country overcome the damage caused by the pandemic.A similar share also believes that these projects will help their country to be better prepared for the future.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson and Director-General for Communication of the EP, According to the survey, European citizens feel very strongly about European values. They want them to be respected and implemented, both in the EU Member States and in our relations with international actors, with other countries.

Animated sign: Flash Eurobarometer - State of the Union

Animation:Does the European Union conjure up for you a positive or negative image? 1% Don't know, 14% Very positive, 39% Fairly positive, 27% Neutral, 13% Fairly negative, 6% Very negative

Animation: EU should only provide funds to Member States conditional upon their government&rsquo;s implementation of the rule of law and of democratic principles? 44% Totally agree, 37% Tend to agree, 9% Tend to disagree, 3% Totally disagree, 7% Don't know.

Animation: The respect of EU core values as a priority in EU relations with major international actors such as the USA, China, Russia or Turkey, is...47% Very important, 38% Important, 8% Not very important, 2% Not at all important, 5% Don't know

Animation: The &lsquo;NextGenerationEU&rsquo; projects will help your Member State overcome the economic and social damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 14% Totally agree, 46% Tend to agree, 17% Tend to diasagree, 7% Totally disagree, 17% Don't know.

Animation: The &lsquo;NextGenerationEU&rsquo; projects will help your member state to be better prepared for future challenges. 14% Totally agree, 45% Tend to agree, 17% Tend to disagree, 7% Totally disagree, 18% Don't know.

Animation: My national government can be trusted to use the &lsquo;NextGenerationEU&rsquo; funds properly. 10% Totally agree , 34% Tend to agree, 24% Tend to disagree, 17% Totally disgree

Animation: There must be transparency and effective control on how the &lsquo;NextGenerationEU&rsquo; funds are spent. 53% Totally agree, 32% Tend to agree, 6% Tend to disagree, 2% Totally disagree, 7% Don't know