The main purpose of this research is to see the tendency of citizens' opinions regarding religious rights and freedoms in the process of integration of Republic of North Macedonia in the European Union, as well as citizens' knowledge of religion in the EU member states.
At the same time, this research makes another attempt to compare it with some previous surveys of public opinion about the membership of the Republic of North Macedonia in the European Union.
The process of integration of the state towards full membership in the EU, raises questions in societies primarily about the rights and freedoms of religion, as well as issues related to the secularity and practice of religion.
Citizens are often asked these questions, especially in societies where there is a high percentage of religious people. Somewhere those questions also raise doubts about some fears of a possible loss of religious identity in the large European family. Such fears can often create defense mechanisms that are often manifested in opposing to membership.
In this context, this research should address some of the dilemmas precisely in this period of the pre-accession process of North Macedonia and when it is expected to get a date for the start of accession negotiations.
The dilemmas to which this question is addressed relate primarily to the citizens' perception of respect for religious rights and freedoms in the state now and the perception of these rights and freedoms as a full member of the EU.
European and International Cooperation
