Research Findings

Download the Synopses of Findings booklet

National Surveys

Nation-wide representative surveys were conducted in October-November 2008; sampling was multi-staged, stratified, and random. The sample was representative of the population aged 18+ (urban and rural) by nationality, sex, region, age and education. The interview lasted on average 40-50 minutes using local languages for interlocution. The sample representation error was no more than + 3%. The survey included 10% random quality control on completion. Sampling breakdown per country was as follows: Russia (1540); Belarus (1000); Ukraine (1200) and Moldova (1000, excluding Bender & TMR regions). The questionnaire included three thematic blocks addressing (i) foreign policy priorities (EU vis-à-vis Russia); (ii) relations with EU (knowledge, perceptions, type of relations); and (iii) the ENP/EaP’s effectiveness (knowledge, perceptions, problems and future). The findings are broken down by country. In the EU, the survey data of Special Eurobarometer ‘The EU’s relations with its neighbours’ was utilised (285, wave 76.3, Brussels 2007).

Focus Groups

Focus-groups were conducted in May-June 2009, comprising of 8 participants each who were sampled using a snowballing method and a screening questionnaire.  On average individual groups included (i) students (ii) female higher education; (iii) male higher education; (iv) think-tanks with some knowledge of the ENP/EaP; and (v) control group of mixed origin.  Interviews lasted up to 2 hours; and were audio- and video-recorded, using local languages for interlocution.  Georgraphical & numerical breakdown per country was as follows:  Belarus (6 focus-groups; Minsk, Grodno, Gomel); Ukraine (10 focus-groups; Kyiv, L'vov, Donetsk); Moldova (5 focus-groups; Chisinau, Beltsi and Cahul); and Russia (10 focus-groups; Moscow, St Petersburg, Penza, Yekaterinburg).  The focus-group scenario included three thematic blocks addressing (i) foreign policy priorities (EU vis-à-vis Russia); (iii) relations with the EU (knoweldge, perceptions, type of relations); and (iii) the ENP/EaP's effectivenesss (knowledge, perceptions, problems and future).  The findings are broken down by country.

Interviews

Interview fieldwork was organised in three phases:  (i) January-February 2009 in Estern Europe by sub-contractors; (ii) September -October 2009 in Brussels and Strasburg by research assistant; and (iii) September-October 209 in Eastern Europe by the principal investigator.  Interviews in the EU included officials of the European Commission, members of the European Parliamenta nd permanent Member States representations.  In Eastern Europe, interviews comprised of members of Parliament, senior officials of Ministries of Foreign Affairs, relevant Committees and Presidential Administrations, civil servants, mass media and think-tanks representatives, businessmen and members of political parties; as well as in-country senior officials of the EU delegations and Member States' representations.  Interviews were semi-structured, in-depth, audio-recorded when permitted, anonymised when requested, and lasted on average 40-50 minutes.  Interviews were conducted in English or local language.  Over 100 interviews were conducted in total, and included the following breakdown per country:  EU (11 interviews); Belarus (25 interviews); Ukraine (27 interviews); Moldova (18 interviews); and Russia (23 interviews).  The questionnaire included three thematic blocks addressing foreign policy priorities (EU vis-à-vis Russia); (ii) relations with the EU (knowledge, perceptions, type of relations); and (iii) the ENP/EaP's effectiveness (knowledge, perceptions, problems and future).  The findings are broken down by country.

School Essays

School essays were conducted in March-April 2009.  Sampling involved random selection of secondary schools in urgan areas, in which school leavers were requested, without prior warning, to write a maximum of two-page essay on pre-set questions.  The survey lasted on average 30-45 minutes.  Essays were anonymised and computerised.  Numerical and geographical breakdown of survey per country was as follows:  Belarus (50 essyas, 4 schools in Minsk and Mozyr), Ukraine (80 essays, 3 schools in Chisinau) and Russia (100 essays, 4 schools in Moscow).  The essay incued three main thremes addressing (i) knowledge/perceptions of the EU; (ii) similarities/differences with the EU; and (iii) future relations with the EU.  The findings are broken down by country.