Armenian people against EEU integration, survey reveals
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Armenia's Eurasian Economic Union integration remains on the top of hot debates recently.
Armenian authorities' preference to the EEU over the European integration resulted in split of the society in two camps - pro-Russian and pro-European groups.
The latest survey by the Gallup International Association's Armenia Office showed an increase in anti-EEU spirits in the country. Survey revealed that 67 percent of the country's population opposes the EEU membership as compared to 57 percent last year.
Results of the survey came out as the EU published its decision to increase funding to Armenia up to 140-170 million euros within the EU Neighborhood policy.
Some analysts suggest the EU decision targets averting Armenia from its aspirations to join the Russia-led Customs Union and save the country from dependence on its giant northern neighbor.
Armenian membership in the EEU will be officially adopted in Minsk on October and by such actions the West aims to allure Yerevan in the hope to weaken Moscow's influence on the post-Soviet country.
The disagreements in the Armenian society are on rise and promise to grow to the civil war. The opposition forces will rally on Sept. 30 to protest the government's domestic and foreign policy. Lack of unanimous opinion on the EEU issue is likely to make confrontation inevitable as there are no sign in both sides to step back.
"Sanction fight" between the West and Russia leaves no chance for Armenians to hope for better life. Strong desire to survive economy through the EEU membership will set definite tasks for the Armenian government how to behave in the state of new economic order.