The number of supporters of Armenia’s accession to customs union drops by 3 percent
27.11.2013,
15:46
Over the last six months about 3 % of Armenian citizens have reconsidered their opinions regarding their country’s upcoming accession to the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, according to the findings of a public opinion survey conducted by Armenian Marketing Association, the official representative of Gallup International Association in Armenia.
YEREVAN, November 27. / ARKA /. Over the last six months about 3 % of Armenian citizens have reconsidered their opinions regarding their country’s upcoming accession to the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, according to the findings of a public opinion survey conducted by Armenian Marketing Association, the official representative of Gallup International Association in Armenia.
The findings were unveiled today by Aram Navasardyan, head of Armenian Marketing Association, at a press conference at Novosti International Press Center.
The survey conducted in 2013 October has found that 64% of respondents were positive about Armenia’s membership in the Russia-led trade bloc, down from 76 percent revealed by an earlier survey conducted in April.
Navasardyan blamed the drop on what he described as ‘vigorous propaganda’ against Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union by opposition politicians and public organizations. He noted that Armenia's population is more inclined towards the Customs Union because of many ties with Russia, the usual destination of thousands of Armenian labor migrants.
Also many Armenians link their national security with Russia, he said, adding that very few of the respondents weighed the advantages and disadvantages of Armenia’s possible accession to the Customs Union or its European integration, largely due to lack of information.
According to the survey, the system of values effective in former Soviet republic is closer to Armenians (backed by 49 percent of respondents) than those in Europe (supported by 20 % of respondents).
According to Navasardyan , 86% of respondents were in favor of the right to freedom of speech, 74% for the freedom of the media , 89% for human rights protection , 87% for the high level of democracy and 75 % for free economic relations. Same sex marriages and homosexuality were backed by 4%, while 91% spoke against.
The survey conducted on the initiative of Gallup International Association on 9-16 October 2013 involved 1,067 respondents in Yerevan and the provinces of the country. -0-
