Yerevan /Mediamax/. The majority of the Armenian population (51%) believes Armenia should evenly develop relations with both the EU and Russia.

The phone survey conducted in the entire territory of Armenia by Civilitas Foundation in June 2014 comes to prove it; the results of the survey were presented during “What Do We Know about Our Foreign Policy Options” discussion in Yerevan, Mediamax reports.

34% of respondents believe Armenia should deepen relations with Russia, while 10% think the country should not choose between Europe or Russia. 

As a result of the survey, the Armenian society is informed about the process of Armenia’s Customs Union membership better than about negotiations over the EU Association Agreement, which lasted over three years. 65% of the Armenian population has heard about the process of the EU Association Agreement, while around 80% of the population is aware of the Customs Union membership.

According to the results of the survey, in general, the population is not informed about the integration niceties and possible impacts of any of these foreign infrastructures.

Answering the question “How will Armenia benefit most from Customs Union Membership?” 21% of respondents said “I don’t know”, 13% said “military security and peace”, 12% stated “export and import growth, large market”, 13% claimed “no benefit at all” and 9% of respondents said “leaving for work abroad easier”.

32% of respondents cannot imagine how will Customs Union membership harm most, while the 16% noted risk of sovereignty and dependence on Russia, the 11% said increase in emigration, 7% - increase in prices, etc.

27% of respondents have no idea which will be their greatest benefit if the EU strengthens relations with Armenia, while 15% believe Armenia will not benefit in any way. 7% of respondents stated opportunity to enter the European market, 5% mentioned the opportunity to enter Europe without entry visa and 5% - the opportunity to become a more democratic state.

31% of respondents are neither aware of the harms strengthening relations with the EU bears for Armenia, while 18% believe the greatest risk is the loss of national values, and the 9% believe the spread of bad morals and manners.

The phone survey was carried out in Yerevan and all Armenian regions on June 19-22, 2014, among around 1000 people who have landline network; the phone numbers were picked randomly.

The survey was drawn up by Civilitas Foundation and reviewed by international experts.