The study, released by US-based Pew Research Center, revealed growing concerns held by European citizens towards the ongoing migration crisis, which saw more than one million people from the Middle East and North Africa settle in Europe last year.
In eight of the ten countries surveyed, a majority of respondents agreed with the statement that "incoming refugees increase the likelihood of terrorism in their country."
Europeans sharply divided on threat posed by refugees from countries like Iraq, Syria https://t.co/hJQA7J5qKB pic.twitter.com/ghXyq0pYcs
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) July 12, 2016
The strongest correlation between migration and terrorism was held in Hungary and Poland, where 76 percent and 71 percent respectively thought an increase in refugees would lead to a heightened terror risk in their country.
Highlighting concerns over EU proposals for a refugee quota, Hungary has announced it will hold a referendum on the whether it will take part in any future refugee distribution plan.
#Hungary to hold referendum Oct 2 on #EU refugee quota policy.
— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) July 5, 2016
Hungarians will basically vote on a policy that's doesn't exist in practice.
While Hungary and Poland are among EU countries to have received proportionately fewer migrants than others, there was also concern about a link between refugees and terrorism in countries that have received high numbers of refugees, with 61 percent of Germans and 60 percent of Italians saying they had worries about the risk of terror attacks.
Meanwhile, in perhaps surprising statistics, only 46 percent of those surveyed in France — a country that has experienced multiple jihadist attacks in recent years — drew a link between increased numbers of refugees and incidents of terrorism.
'Refugee Crisis and Terrorism Very Much Related'
Reflecting on the results, Pew said "the refugee crisis and the threat of terrorism are very much related to one another in the minds of many Europeans," in seemingly a rejection of the European Commission's stance towards encouraging countries to accept refugees.
"The recent surge of refugees into Europe has featured prominently in the anti-immigrant rhetoric of right-wing parties across the continent and in the heated debate over the UK's decision to exit the European Union," the report stated.
The EU elites need a serious rethink of the EU. The Euro, refugee & terror crises have exposed the fundamental weaknesses of the EU.
— Zeeshan Shah (@zeeshan_shah_dc) June 24, 2016
On top of terrorism concerns, Europeans also highlighted worries associated with the economic impact of the increased influx of refugees, with a majority in seven of the ten countries surveyed describing the arrival of refugees as "a burden on our country because they take our jobs and social benefits."
Merkel Admits Refugee Crisis ‘Used to Smuggle Terrorists'
The concerns over terror attacks in the wake of the refugee influx comes as German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted that some terrorists entered Europe among the wave of migrants that entered the continent from Syria last year.
Speaking to supporters of her Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU) party, Merkel said that militant groups had used the refugee crisis to smuggle jihadists into Europe.
#Turkey #Ankara Merkel Stands by EU-Turkey Refugee Deal Amid Hail of Criticism
— David (@follownewsnow1) April 21, 2016
"In part, the refugee flow was even used to smuggle terrorists," she said.
The admission will give fuel to many of Merkel's critics who have strongly protested against the country's open-door refugee policy, which saw more than one million people enter the country in 2015.
