By Majlinda Bregu
Today the Autumn 2025 Eurobarometer was published.
Many might say: “We have our own problems — why should we care about what problems Europeans have?”
That is half true. Only half.
Because what happens in Europe is never far from us. More often than not, it determines our political, economic, and security direction. It also shapes how much attention Europe pays to our own missteps.
As I was reading the report, I kept thinking about the two Europes that coexist today: Europe inside and Europe outside.
One trying to understand that, to survive, it must change.
The other still waiting to become part of it.
The message that emerges from the Eurobarometer is clear.
Europeans are not asking for less Europe.
They are asking for a stronger Europe.
89% want greater internal unity.
86% expect the EU to have a stronger global voice.
At a time of wars near its borders (72%), terrorist threats (67%), cyberattacks, and climate risks (66%), citizens are asking for clear direction and strong leadership.
62% still see EU membership as a good thing.
In a world that often feels unstable, trust in the European project remains resilient.
But what about Europe outside?
In the Western Balkans, 64% of citizens — according to the RCC’s Balkan Barometer — believe EU membership is a good thing. After a long and often disappointing journey, this is a figure with real political weight.
During my time leading the RCC, we saw these trends early and measured them continuously through the Balkan Barometer and SecuriMeter. They consistently showed that the orientation toward Europe is not merely a political objective. For many citizens, it has become a personal life plan.
Around 41% of Western Balkan citizens are ready to leave their country.
And if we return to “our own problem”, Albanians who want to leave are above the regional average — 44%.
When nearly one in two citizens sees their future elsewhere, this is not just a statistic.
It is a national alarm.
An alarm for the economy, for the labor market, for trust in the future itself.
In many countries of the region, citizens trust the EU more than they trust their own institutions.
The contrast becomes even clearer when we look at priorities.
Inside the EU, citizens think strategically: security, defense, climate threats, economic sustainability.
In the Western Balkans, concerns are more basic: inflation, jobs, economic stability, and whether the state even functions.
Within the EU, people report high levels of concern about multiple threats at once:
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Wars near EU borders – 72%
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Terrorism – 67%
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Climate-related natural disasters – 66%
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Cyberattacks from outside actors – 66%
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Disinformation, hate speech, AI-generated manipulation, and threats to online data – around 68–69%
In the Western Balkans, only about 38% consider the region safe. Optimism remains limited. Concerns stem not only from geopolitical instability — including the effects of the war in Ukraine — but also from corruption, economic vulnerability, and low trust in institutions.
Disinformation is a growing concern in both realities, yet it is experienced differently.
In the EU, it is treated as a strategic threat to democracy.
In the Western Balkans, it is directly linked to deep mistrust toward institutions, media, and the overall quality of life.
This comparison matters because it reveals two different understandings of security.
For Europe inside, security is a strategic priority.
For Europe outside, it is a prerequisite for everyday stability.
There is also one signal we must not underestimate: the youth.
In both surveys, young people are the most optimistic and the most pro-European.
Around 65% of young people in the EU are optimistic about the Union’s future. Many young people in the Western Balkans also see their future as European.
The message is clear.
Citizens inside Europe are asking Europe to adapt to the times.
Citizens outside are asking Europe not to leave them behind.