Armenians see EU as no more than a peripheral figure in region’s issues

PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU is viewed in some respects as negatively, according to the internationally conducted “Comparative Opinion Polls in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh on Socio-Political Issues and Foreign Relations” published by the European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA).

Armenians see the EU as no more than a peripheral figure in the region’s issues.

Less than a quarter of Armenians say it is one of the organisations they trust most, and only a fifth say it is one of the most supportive of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Just over a quarter think it has a role in the conflict settlement process and even fewer think it is one of the organisations most interested in a peace deal.

Armenians support the EU’s involvement in the conflict resolution process when they think it could help bring about peace. There is strong support for EU measures which could sideline the OSCE Minsk Group negotiations, such as a non-military EU peacekeeping force, an upgrading of the EU’s commitment to the peaceful settlement by promoting democracy among the conflicting parties, and also brokering a ceasefire consolidation agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, most Armenians see these interventions as positive not because it is the EU doing them but because the actions themselves are positive: a peacekeeping force, ceasefire consolidation and increased democracy are welcomed by Armenians whoever brings them. The minority thinking the EU is interested in a peace deal or has a role in the conflict resolution process suggests that Armenians don’t believe the EU has either the will or the ability to bring these about.