Centre for Public Opinion and Democracy, Canada
Aug 10 2004

Armenians Plead For New Economic Policies

(CPOD) Aug. 10, 2004 – Many citizens of Armenia are unhappy with the
way their elected officials are pursuing financial strategies,
according to a poll by the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS). 48.4 per cent of respondents believe
their government is not pursuing an economic policy that supports the
development of enterprise and investments.

Armenia’s national currency – the dram – has gained strength in the past
few months. While Central Bank officials believe the fluctuation is a
result of incoming United States dollars, finance and economy
minister Vardan Khachatrian admitted that the phenomenon could be the
result of speculation.

Most Armenians would like to boost their country’s financial profile.
32.6 per cent of respondents believe the country should pursue closer
economic ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – a
coalition encompassing 12 former Soviet republics – while 13.9 per cent
favour cooperation with the European Union (EU).

President Robert Kocharyan was re-elected to a new four-year term in
March 2003 in an election marred by fraud allegations.

Polling Data

Do you think Armenian authorities pursue an economic policy that
supports the development of enterprise and investments?

Yes
22.0%

No
48.4%

Difficult to answer
28.6%

In your view, Armenia should have the closest economic relations
with…

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
32.6%

European Union (EU) member states
13.9%

Countries of the region, including Turkey,
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran
7.0%

Countries of the American continent,
particularly the United States and Canada.
2.7%

All of them
35.3%

Source: Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,127 Armenian adults, conducted from
Jun. 20 to Jul. 12, 2004. No margin of error was provided.