Europe's citizens approve of the enlargement of the European Union, but are worried that it could make it harder to reach common decisions and will carry a hefty bill, a poll for the European Commission has revealed.

The so-called Euro-barometer of almost 16,000 people across all 15 member states shows that while 50 per cent of the EU population favours enlargement, as opposed to 30 per cent against, 65 per cent think it will make it harder to take decisions.

Just over half think it will cost existing member states more and 41 per cent believe it could add to their countries' unemployment.

The poll results reveal an EU population largely satisfied with the status quo.

They come in the wake of Ireland's referendum at the weekend on the Nice Treaty. That result removed one source of uncertainty about the entry into the EU of 10 new member states scheduled for 2004. Much hard talking about the cost of enlargement will be done at a summit in Brussels this week and in Copenhagen in December.

The results also come against the backdrop of the Convention on the Future of Europe headed by former French president, Mr Valery Giscard d'Estaing, who aims to set out the division of power for the next 50 years.

Just over 50 per cent of those interviewed think that membership of the EU is a good thing. Only 34 per cent say they would be "very sorry" if the EU were scrapped.

Fifty per cent of those interviewed believe countries should retain their right of veto, while 25 per cent think it should be given up. Only 21 per cent support the idea of a European tax, with 51 per cent against.

Two-thirds of the respondents say they support the euro, with the figure for the 12 countries in the euro zone standing at 75 per cent. - (Financial Times Service)