Nicosia, Cyprus. A Eurobarometer survey published on Friday found that 75% of Cypriots are worried about threats to their country’s security, placing the island among the most concerned nations in the European Union.
Cyprus ranks among highest in EU concern
The 75% figure puts Cyprus level with Germany and behind only France at 80%, the Netherlands and Denmark at 77% in the bloc-wide poll. Overall, 68% of Europeans said they fear their country faces a threat.
Survey released ahead of Munich Security Conference
The survey was released ahead of the Munich Security Conference, where around 70 heads of state and government gathered on Friday to discuss challenges including Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting disruptions to global trade.
Trust in EU defence strengthening and spending support
Just over half of respondents across the EU, 52%, said they trusted the bloc to strengthen defence, with the highest confidence recorded in Luxembourg at 76%, Portugal at 74% and Lithuania at 71%. The survey did not provide a country-by-country breakdown for all member states on the trust question.
Nearly three quarters of those polled backed either current EU defence spending levels or called for higher investment, with the strongest support in Portugal at 89%, Finland at 83%, and Lithuania and Spain at 80%.
Leaders’ remarks on European defence
At the conference on Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had begun confidential talks with France on a joint European nuclear deterrent, saying Europe had to become stronger in order to reset its relationship with the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron has adopted a tougher line on Russia while allowing lower-level dialogue to continue, a posture that follows his earlier confrontation with US President Donald Trump over transatlantic defence.
How concerned are you about threats to your country’s security?
