A few days ago, we touched upon the issue of two different surveys conducted among the public regarding joining the Customs Union (CU), which were held almost at the same time, but provided different results. In one case, 86% of public supported Armenia’s joining the CU, whereas, in the other case, it was 20 per cent. Aravot.am asked the sociologist Aharon Adibekyan what it is caused by, and why “Sociometer” center headed by him is not conducting similar survey. Mr. Adibekyan replied, “It is a result of ignorant survey, first, we need to know the methodology on how the question was formulated, how the choice was built and what level the respondents have, whether they made the right choice, allocation. Also, there is an additional question whether the respondent has a relative in RF or in the Europe to learn how this relationship affects his approach.” We have started conducting surveys since 1989, and since then Armenians were trying to maintain relationship with RF. They wanted to remain part of the Soviet Union, because they understand that they have a job thanks to them. After collapse of the Soviet Union, the factories were closed, they actually understood that only RF can provide them with jobs. Accordingly, the community orientation, up to now, has been towards RF.” Mr. Adibekyan talked about his customers, and answering the question whether they do not have an order for a survey regarding joining the CU, he said, “Our first customers were the Communists, independent foundations, the ARF, the Liberal Democratic Party, and the Republican Party. At the moment, they do not have an order on survey regarding joining the Customs Union.” Mr. Adibekyan also stated that they have conducted surveys on the Armenian-Turkish protocols and on other issues. Thus, Aharon Adibekyan assures that “we need to know the truth, so that the survey results are consistent with the opinion of people. Then, he continued, “When we announced that the majority of the community supports the CU, and said that there will be no rallies, so it was. A very small portion of the community, who were oriented toward European values, just tried to do something, but there was no massive wave. The matter in this issue is not strictly ideological or value, or people express such views based on systems, but based on their mode of life.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
