On 31 July, the Caucasus Research Resource Center published their “Caucasian Barometer- 2020” for Armenia highlighting Armenian citizens’ perceptions of other countries, as well as their satisfaction with the country’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), reported arka.am.
The survey was conducted from 21 February to 15 March 2020 among 1491 adult respondents, 31% of whom live in Yerevan, 33% in other cities and 36% in villages. It is mentioned that 55% of the survey’s respondents are men, 35% of respondents obtained a secondary education and about 52% have a job.
About 57% of respondents viewed Russia as the friendliest country. While this may be seen by some as quite high, it is a continuation of a decrease in trust towards Russia. “In 2017, Russia was indicated as the friendliest country by 63% of respondents, in 2015 - by 75%, and in 2013 – by 83%,” the study said.
When asked to name the second most popular country the answer was “none” for 17% of respondents. France was mentioned as the third popular country, which was considered friendly to Armenia by 12% of respondents, while 4 years ago only 4% of respondents believed this statement.
Azerbaijan remained the most hostile country with 75% of respondents putting it in first place. In 2015 and 2017 76% of those surveyed thought so. Turkey is the second hostile country (22% of respondents). In 2015 to 2017, 18% of respondents considered it hostile.
“About 22% of respondents in Armenia considered the results of the country's membership in the CSTO rather positive, and 7% - certainly positive," the study said. According to the survey, 24% of respondents expressed some doubts - they both agree and to some extent disagree with some of the results of membership.
4% of respondents consider these results as rather negative and only 2% consider them to be completely negative. It should also be noted that 42% of respondents could not give a definitive opinion.
As for the results of Armenia's membership in the EAEU, 11% consider them to be certainly productive, 32% are rather productive, and 26% are in doubt - believing that there are both positive and negative sides. Along with that, 5% of respondents noted that they assess these results as rather negative and only 2% consider them fully negative. It should also be noted that 26% of respondents could not answer this question.
