On 26 January 2016, a young boy is carrying a large bundle of warm blankets on his shoulders. He is in the Miratovac Refugee Aid Point where, along with his family members, he can access support services and have an opportunity to rest before continuing his journey. In 2015, more than one million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean, arriving on Europeís shores, of which an estimated 253,700 ñ or one in four ñ were children. Latest trends show that children now make up 36 percent of the migration flow coming through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Woman and children now make up 57 percent of the refugee and migrants with the majority from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Children arriving into a harsh winter in southeastern Europe are physically exhausted, scared, distressed and often in need of medical assistance, UNICEF warned.The recent sub-zero temperatures and sometimes snowy conditions is exacerbating the childrenís poor physical condition as many children on the move do not have adequate clothing, or access to age-appropriate nutrition. This has been worsened by the lack of shelter and inadequate heating in some reception centres as well as buses and trains. UNICEF said the issue was pressing as the proportion of children amongst refugees and migrants ñ now more than one in three ñ has continued to increase. According to national sources, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the ratio was 37 per cent in December, compared to 23 per cent in September, while in Serbia, 36 per cent were children in December compared to 27 per cent in September. In December most children transiting through UNICEF child-friendly spaces in Serbia were young children, including babies and infants and those between 5 to 9 years old.
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Immigration, terrorism are EU’s major challenges – Eurobarometer

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Europeans see immigration and terrorism as the major challenges facing the EU at the moment, and they support the political priorities of the European Commission. These are two key results of the latest Standard Eurobarometer survey published last week. The survey was carried out between 21 and 31 May 2016 in 34 countries and territories.

Immigration and terrorism are seen as the major challenges facing the EU.

Asking citizens about their main concerns, immigration remains at the top of the most frequently cited issues facing the EU (48%, -10). Terrorism (39%, +14) remains the second most frequently cited item after a sharp increase since the previous survey in autumn 2015. It is well ahead of the economic situation (19%, -2), the state of Member States public finances (16%, -1) and unemployment (15%, -2). Immigration is number one concern for the EU in 20 Member States and among the top two concerns in all countries, except Portugal. Terrorism is number one concern in eight Member States and among the top two concerns in all countries, except Greece.

At national level, main concerns are unemployment (33%, -3) and immigration (28%, -8). The economic situation is in third place (19%, unchanged).

As in the previous survey of November 2015, there is positive endorsement of the priority topics set by the European Commission.

– Regarding the issue of migration, 67% of Europeans say they are in favour of a common European policy on migration. Almost six Europeans out of ten (58%) are positive about migration of people from other EU Member States. However, the same proportion is negative about immigration of people from outside the EU.

– 79% of Europeans are in favour of the “free movement of EU citizens who can live, work, study and do business anywhere in the EU”. Majorities of respondents support free movement in all countries from UK (63%) to Latvia (95%). In addition, most Europeans regard the free movement of people, goods and services within the EU as the most positive achievement of the EU (56%), alongside peace among the Member States (55%).

– Europeans see the EU as a global actor: 68% think that the EU’s voice counts in the world.

– On investment within the EU, 56% of Europeans agree public money should be used to stimulate private sector investment at EU level.

– 56% of Europeans are also in favour of a digital single market within the EU.

– On energy, 70% of Europeans are in favour of a common energy policy among EU Member States.

– Support for the euro remains stable (55% in the EU overall, 68% in the euro area). There is majority support for the single currency in 22 Member States including all those belonging to the Euro area.

– Support for a free trade and investment agreement between the EU and the USA is the majority view in 24 Member States. Overall, 51% of respondents in the EU are in favour.

The number of Europeans who say they trust the European Union has gone up to 33%. The average level of trust in national governments is stable at 27%.

An unchanged proportion of Europeans (38%) say they have a neutral image of the EU. The number of Europeans who say they have a positive image of the EU stands at 34% while 27% have a negative image.

The number of citizens who say that their voice counts in the EU remains stable at 38% (-1 point), maintaining the positive boost observed since the European elections in 2014.

Two thirds of Europeans (66%, +2) feel that they are citizens of the EU. This view is shared by majorities of respondents in 26 Member States.

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