RUSSIA THE EURASIAN CUSTOMS UNION AND THE EU COOPERATION STAGNATION OR RIVALRY?

PUBLIC OPINION
What are the main advantages
of the European Union?*
% of citizens polled
High level of social protection 46.9
Rule of law 31.5
Developed democracy 27.1
Availability of financial resources 22.2
Quality of healthcare 18.6
Science and technology development 16.7
Low level of corruption 13.7
Access to education 8.9
High level of public safety 7.3
High level of culture 7.3
Social activity 4.6
Common history, culture, similar mentality of
3.5
citizens of the EU countries
Other 0.8
I see no advantages in the European Union 18.0
Hard to say 5.9
* Respondents were supposed to give not more than three acceptable answers.
Comparing the EU and the Customs Union,
which one is…?
% of citizens polled
... a simpler and more
reliable partner, easier
and safer to come to
terms
... more prone to
dictate, both politically
and economically,
to its members
... offers more
opportunities for
promoting goods of its
member countries to
markets of third countries
... pursues a more
socially-oriented policy,
where GDP growth
results in growth of
individual incomes
EU
Customs
Union
Equally
the EU
and the
Customs
Union
What are the main disadvantages
of the European Union?*
% of citizens polled
Hard to
say
32.3 36.9 13.6 17.2
29.4 30.7 20.6 19.3
30.5 26.7 20.6 22.2
46.5 14.6 13.2 25.7
Unstable economic situation
(crisis in some EU countries)
34.2
Uneven economic development
of the EU countries
31.8
Domination of the leading states
over other EU countries
31.0
Differences in cultures, values, mentality
of citizens of the EU countries
23.5
Shortage of natural resources 23.4
Unemployment 15.9
Consumer mentality, earthliness 10.1
Inefficient migration policy 9.4
Other 1.0
I see no disadvantages in the European Union 13.4
Hard to say 10.4
* Respondents were supposed to give not more than three acceptable answers.
What are the main advantages
of the Customs Union?*
% of citizens polled
Common history, culture, similar mentality of 53.4
citizens of the Customs Union countries
Availability of natural resources, energy supplies 47.1
Stable economic situation 15.4
Cheap manpower 10.6
Science and technology development 8.1
Access to education 5.9
High level of social protection 5.8
Quality of healthcare 4.0
Social activity 3.9
Democratic development 3.4
High level of culture 2.0
Other 1.3
I see no advantages in the Customs Union 20.8
Hard to say 8.3
* Respondents were supposed to give not more than three acceptable answers.
Do you agree with the following statements?
% of citizens polled
Yes No Hard
to
say
The European model of organisation of
the state and society is more attractive
48.9 23.3 27.8
than the Russian model
Eastern European countries that joined
the EU won, rather than lost
48.2 22.9 28.9
The present crisis in the EU will be
done away with, the EU citizens will not face 48.0 19.9 32.1
fundamental deterioration of living standards
Countries of the Customs Union (Russia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan) have no democracy
42.8 31.3 25.8
Countries that joined the Customs Union have
won, rather than lost
37.0 28.2 34.8
In the Customs Union, Ukraine can successfully
cope with the crisis
36.5 36.1 27.4
Homosexuality is imposed in the EU countries 31.2 36.2 32.6
Greater mass protests in some EU countries, as
compared to Ukraine, show that the crisis in the 29.0 43.6 27.3
EU is greater than in Ukraine
Ukraine can cope with its domestic problems
without foreign assistance
24.0 47.6 28.3
What are the main disadvantages
of the Customs Union?*
% of citizens polled
Corruption 48.0
Grey economy 33.2
Russian domination 28.6
Lack of democracy 27.3
Inadequate social protection of citizens of the
Customs Union countries
14.6
Inefficiency of state leadership 12.2
Low level of public safety 10.3
Unfriendly business environment 6.7
Limitated scientific and technological
4.3
development
Other 0.9
I see no disadvantages in the Customs Union 14.5
Hard to say 10.2
* Respondents were supposed to give not more than three acceptable answers.
RAZUMKOV CENTRE • NATIONAL SECURITY & DEFENCE • №4-5, 2013 • 115