The ODB Brussels (ODB) has commissioned a survey about perceptions, preferences, and values Belarusians attribute to the European Union (EU), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in order to contribute to open and objective debate on the relations between Belarus and these two regional blocks.
Three particular trends are observable in the opinion of the Belarusian respondents:
- There is a high-level understanding and appreciation of the EU as an international partner, underpinned by a growing sense of common interest and partnership in a number of areas
- Differences in normative associations between BY, the EU and the EEU continue to persist. At the same time, fostering economic welfare may present a common ground for convergence
- Perceived rivalry and strategic overlap between the EU and the EEU are becoming more pronounced. Public reasoning however is currently swayed in favour of economic cooperation with the EEU.