The poll on the reputation of Croatia and Slovenia was conducted by telephone and through an Internet questionnaire by the Slovene-based SPEM Communication Group between 6 and 29 April this year. It involved 93 of the 732 members of the European Parliament from all European Union member states.
Only 1.1 per cent of the respondents described Croatia as a "very respectable" country, whereas 20.4 per cent said that it was a "respectable" country. By comparison, 18.3 per cent considered Slovenia as a "very respectable" country.
In response to the question as to what Croatia could do to improve its reputation, 24.7 per cent of MEPs said that it should cooperate with the ICTY, 8.6 per cent believe that it should take care of its publicity, 7.5 per cent think it should improve international cooperation, 7.5 per cent were of the view that it should reduce the crime rate and 5.4 per cent said that it should become more democratic.
The respondents primarily associated Croatia with a beautiful sea coast, islands and tourism, while a smaller number described it as a country that emerged after the break-up of Yugoslavia and that it was hit by war.
Other features of Croatia that captured the attention of MEPs were beautiful and interesting towns and landscapes (14 per cent) and natural beauties (7.5 per cent).
When asked to give their first association when Croatia is mentioned, 6.5 per cent of the respondents cited the country's application for EU membership, 6.5 per cent mentioned nationalism and 5.4 per cent thought of fugitive general Ante Gotovina.
About half of the respondents have visited Croatia.