Study title

Europe

Individual

1) 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 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. 2) 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. Geographic & 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); (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. 3) interview fieldwork took place in January-February 2009. 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. 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. 4) school essays were conducted in March-April 2009. Sampling involved random selection of secondary schools in urban 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 essays, 4 schools in Minsk and Mozyr), Ukraine (80 essays, 3 schools in Kyiv); Moldova (50 essays, 3 schools in Chisinau) and Russia (100 essays, 4 schools in Moscow).The essay included three main themes 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.