Candidate Countries Eurobarometer 2003.1, March-May 2003: New Europeans and Culture

The Candidate Countries Eurobarometer (CCEB) series, first conducted in 2001, gathers information from the countries applying to become members of the European Union (EU) in a way that allows direct comparison with the standard Eurobarometer series carried out in the existing EU countries. The CCEB provides decision-makers and the European public with opinion data on the similarities and differences between the EU and candidate countries. The CCEB continuously tracks support for EU membership in each country and records changes in attitudes related to European issues in the candidate countries. This round of the CCEB surveys was conducted between March 20th and May 4th, 2003, in the 13 candidate countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey. This round of Candidate Country Eurobarometer survey queried respondents on the following major areas of focus: (1) the European Union and (2) Cultural Activities. For the first major area of focus, the European Union, respondents were asked for their opinion on their country's bid to join the EU and their benefits of membership in the EU, what role national government and the EU should play in policy areas, and the importance of political and social issues. Respondents were also questioned about foreign policy concerning the positive or negative roles of the EU and the USA in different areas of responsibility such as keeping peace in the world and fighting against poverty. For the second major topic, Cultural Activities, respondents were questioned on what television programs they watch, what radio programs they listen to, their computer usage, reading materials, musical preferences, attendance at cultural activities, and artistic activities. Respondents were also asked if they own various electronic equipment, books, and musical instruments. Demographic and other background information collected includes age, nationality, marital status, age at completion of full-time education, ownership of household durables, occupation, religion, household, income, party affiliation, gender, and household composition.