Trust in Eurasian integration declines: expert names reasons
YEREVAN, May 2. /ARKA/. The trust of the societies of the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EEU) member countries in the Eurasian integration process has significantly decreased in recent years, according to professor Gevorg Poghosyan.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the perspectives of the Eurasian economic integration and Armenia's interests, he recalled that 61% of respondents of a survey conducted in Armenia back in 2012 supported this integration. Their number slashed to 50% in 2017. In Russia, the driving force of the integration, these numbers dropped from 72% in 2012 to 68% in 2017.
"Apparently, expectations were higher, and the integration itself has slowed down a bit. The societies in EEU member counties (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia) see this and this affects the degree of their optimism and trust," he said.
Poghosyan stressed also that the Armenian population's attitude toward Russia as a strategic partner has also deteriorated. Some 87% of respondents of a survey in 2018 described Armenia’s relations with Russia as good; in 2022, their number fell to 59.6%.
"Despite this, Russia is still considered Armenia’s main partner, the closest friendly state. This is not up for discussion. We have historical, cultural and other ties," he stressed.
Poghosyan listed energy and security as advantages of the Eurasian integration project, while the disadvantages are a weak economy, lack of innovative technologies, economic backwardness and problems in the social sphere.
"If people are rushing to European countries, it means they are better off there. They say "people vote with their feet," he said.
He noted that "if Russia, being the locomotive of the EEU, starts using its advantages wisely and adds something to it that it does not yet have, the Eurasian integration project will be priceless.
In this context, according to Poghosyan, Armenia would benefit not only in terms of energy and economy, but also in demographic terms, because the country is depopulating, and this problem is existential for the country.
"We would be very comfortable in such a project, especially that there are historical, cultural, linguistic and other ties. And if we aspire to Europe... Well, Georgia is next door: it aspired to Europe, but ended up in Turkey. Do we need it?", he asked. -0-
