In conclusion, the EU adds value in a number of areas and has the potential to add value
elsewhere provided that certain conditions are met. Interestingly, citizens are often ahead of
national governments in identifying where the possibilities for European value added lie
according to the regular Eurobarometer polls. However, in many areas citizens do not
perceive that the EU is already providing advantages or when the advantages are perceived
they are not attributed to action by the EU. While they are increasingly disappointed at the
results in the economic field and reticent towards what is perceived as intrusive and
unnecessary regulation, they welcome efforts to provide more coherence and effectiveness in
the field of security and external relations and judicial cooperation. The examples in Annexe
demonstrate some of the reasons that citizens should be positive about both the advantages
that they currently receive from membership of the EU and those that they could enjoy in
future.