Europeans souring on EU

BRUSSELS, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A survey by the European Union finds support among citizens is declining, with only half of those asked saying membership is a good thing.

The number of people who consider EU membership a positive is down 4 points from the 54 percent who espoused approval last spring, the EU Observer reported.

The Autumn Standard Eurobarometer, released Tuesday, was the first sampling conducted since France and Netherlands rejected the EU Constitution.

"Citizens have seen too much of selfish interest by member states, too little vision and solidarity," European Commission Vice President Margot Wallstrom said.

Austrian and British citizens were the least positive with 32 and 33 percent, respectively, approving of EU membership, while Luxembourg and Ireland expressed the most approval (82 percent and 73 percent, respectively).