MORE than three-quarters of EU citizens – excluding those from the UK – believe the primary objective of Brexit negotiations should be to protect the interests of the remaining EU member states, according to a new poll.

The survey, carried out for the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament, found that 78 per cent of Europeans questioned prioritised protecting the future of the EU27 ahead of building a new economic relationship with the UK.

The poll found that only 22 per cent of those asked wanted the focus of talks to be building a new economic relationship with the UK, giving it special privileged conditions post-Brexit. Self-protection rated highest among Spanish voters (89 per cent) and surprisingly lowest (69 per cent) among the French.

The results were revealed by EPP Group chairman Manfred Weber, pictured, at its bureau meeting in Wicklow, Ireland. “The EPP Group has always made it clear that our priority in the negotiations with the UK on Brexit was to defend the interests of EU citizens,” Weber said. “The results of the opinion poll show that a large majority of EU citizens support this approach.

“This reinforces the position we took at an early stage. In early 2019, the European Parliament will have the huge respons- ibility of saying Yes or No to the divorce agreement with the UK. We are the only institution directly elected by European citizens. When examining the conditions of Brexit, our priority will always be to secure a good future for them.”

The online poll was conducted in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden, with around 1000 voters from each country taking part.

It showed that 86 per cent of respondents wanted Brexit nego- tiations to prioritise the protection of the rights of EU citizens who were currently living in the UK.

A further 88 per cent said the talks should ensure that the UK pays any outstanding financial obligations to the EU and 87 per cent want them to ensure there is no introduction of second-class EU citizens.

Voters were also clear about where the EU should focus its energies following Brexit with economic growth and job creation the top choice for 94 per cent (97 per cent of EPP voters); financial stability (93 per cent); and the integration of counter-terrorism (92 per cent).

Research and inno- vation was seen as a clear focus for 90 per cent of respondents, protection from unfair competition for 89 per cent and a closer defence union was most important for 85 per cent.

The survey took a particular focus on Ireland and found that 93 per cent of Irish respondents agreed that to protect their interests, the EU should work more closely with together with them.

People who vote for Fine Gael, who are members of the EPP group, were the most pro-European.

Irish voters did not want to see the Good Friday Agreement being undermined, but they said the economy, trade and employment were much greater causes for concern.

The agreement was less important for younger voters who would not have direct experience of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.