MOSCOW, June 17 (RIA Novosti) – While admitting that Russia and Europe have cultural differences, Russians are divided whether Europeans have a friendly attitude towards them, a recent opinion poll said on Monday.
A total of 39 percent of Russians said Europeans are friendly to Russia while some 35 percent of respondents said Moscow is viewed negatively in Europe, a poll carried out by the state-run Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) said.
The pollster said 57 percent of Russians, most of them citizens of major cities, believe Russia and Europe have different cultural values. The figure is down from 63 percent in 2005.
Some 15 percent of Russians believe Europe has higher level of life, while some 13 percent of respondents said Europeans are “more educated and civilized.” Some 10 percent of the polled said Russia and Europe have “different mentality.”
Germany was named the most attractive destination for Russians. Some 20 percent of respondents said they want to visit Germany, while another 20 percent of the polled said Russians have common values with Germans.
France shares the second place with Italy as the most attractive country for Russians, according to the survey that showed some 19 percent of the polled prefer these two countries. In 2006, France was named the top tourist destination for Russians.
Spain (11 percent) and the UK (9 percent) are also in the top five countries that are considered attractive for Russian citizens. Some 21 percent of the polled said it was difficult for them to name the country they would like to visit.
The poll was conducted on June 8-9 among 1,500 people in 43 Russian regions.
