Immigration top EU issue, Eurobarometer poll finds

(ANSA) - Brussels, July 31 - A Eurobarometer survey showed Friday many Europeans believe immigration is the top problem the European Union must deal with, saying it is more important even than economic concerns.
    As many as 38% of Europeans (14% more than in autumn 2014) put immigration at the top of the list of concerns for the EU to resolve.
    Immigration is the most cited issue by respondents in 20 member countries, headed by Malta (65%) and followed by Germany (55%), Estonia (54%) and Denmark (50%).
    In Italy, as many as 43% listed immigration as their number one concern.
    As many as 73% of Europeans say they are in favour of a common immigration policy.
    The economic situation is cited by 27% of Europeans as a top worry for the EU (down 6%), while 24% cited unemployment as their main concern (down 5%).
    Europeans in as many as 19 EU countries said unemployment should be a top domestic priority.
    As many as 51% of Italians see bringing unemployment down as the top national concern, behind 69% of Cypriots and 74% of Spaniards.
    Terrorism was seen as a priority by 17% of Europeans, led by Romanians (28%) and Italians (19%).