86% OF ARMENIA’S CITIZENS CONSIDER RUSSIA FRIENDLY COUNTRY

YEREVAN, June 1. /ARKA/. According to the results of an interview
conducted in Armenia as part of the project “Armenia and Azerbaijan
at `neither peace nor war’ crossroads: overcoming stereotypes”,
86% of Armenia’s citizens consider Russia a friendly country. Among
five friendly countries are also France (55.4%), Iran (30.5%), CIS
countries (26.3%) and the USA (22.4%). On the other hand, the first
five unfriendly countries are: Azerbaijan (89.2%), (turkey 84.8%),
Georgia (34.1%), the USA (12.1%) and Great Britain (10.2%). Although
most of the respondents consider Russia a friendly country, 19 of
1,000 respondents (1.9%) consider that country unfriendly. Ten of
them included Russia among the most unfriendly countries.

According to the results, 86.2% of the respondents believe that
economic cooperation should first of all be maintained with Russia,
with Iran (50.9%), with the other CIS countries (32.8%), with Georgia
(28.2%), with France (18.3%). Turkey ranks sixth (8.8%). Also,
1.8% of the respondents said that Armenia is interested in economic
cooperation with Azerbaijan.

According to the results, 87.8% of the respondents ranked Russia
first among the countries with which Armenia’s military cooperation
meets its national interests. The USA ranks second (39.8%) and is
followed by the other CIS countries (17.8%), Iran (15%), Georgia
(9.7%). As to which country Armenia should develop its military
cooperation, Azerbaijan was mentioned 20 times by respondents. Also,
43.6% of the respondents consider the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
a threat to Armenia. This problem ranks fourth among the threats
to Armenia preceded by corruption (63.3%), political instability
(56.8%), economic problems (49.4%). The interview was conducted last
October-December, and involved 1,000 citizens of Armenia (500 Yerevan
residents and 100 residents from each of the regions of Ararat, Lori,
Tavush, Chambarak, Meghri).

The project “Armenia and Azerbaijan at `neither peace nor war’
crossroads: overcoming stereotypes” was implemented by the “Region”
research center of investigatory journalism (Armenia) and the Institute
of Peace and Democracy (Azerbaijan), with the sponsorship of the
European Commission delegation to Georgia and Armenia. P.T. -0–
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