Public opinion in Estonia Latvia and Lithuania about

Public opinion in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania about cooperation with Nordic countries February/March 2018 Commissioned by Nordic Council of Ministers

General information about polling The Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned a telephone survey in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In Estonia the poll was conducted from 19 February to 3 March, 600 Estonian residents aged 16 and over were interviewed. In Latvia the poll was conducted from 16 to 22 February, 602 Latvian residents aged 16 and over were interviewed. In Lithuania the poll was conducted from 19 February to 9 March, 603 Lithuanian residents aged 16 and over were interviewed. Nordic Council of Ministers

Background data for respondents /ESTONIA/ weighted GENDER Male 46 Have you lived in a Nordic country? 54 Female EDUCATION university No 35 91 54 secondary, secondary vocational lower than secondary Yes 11 AGE 0 19 16 - 30 9 50 (%) 21 31 - 40 41 - 50 100 16 51 - 64 21 65 + WHERE? 23 NATIVE LANGUAGE Estonian 68 Russian on other Finland 32 REGION North Estonia Norway 45 North-East Estonia 11 West Estonia 12 Mid-Estonia 36 11 Sweden 8 South Estonia 24 10 Denmark URBAN/RURAL Urban 3 69 Rural 0 31 0 10 20 30 40 (%) 50 60 70 80 10 20 N 30 40

Background data for respondents /LATVIA/ weighted GENDER 44 Male Have you lived in a Nordic country? 56 Female EDUCATION No university 38 Yes 56 secondary, secondary vocational 6 lower than secondary 97 3 0 50 (%) AGE 16 - 30 100 20 31 - 40 15 41 - 50 16 WHERE? 51 - 64 25 65 + 24 Norway NATIVE LANGUAGE Latvian Sweden 68 32 Russian on other 31 Other urban 33 0 10 20 30 40 (%) 4 Denmark 36 Rural 5 Finland TYPE OF SETTLEMENT Capital Riga 8 3 0 50 60 70 80 2 4 N 6 8 10

Background data for respondents /LITHUANIA/ weighted GENDER 45 Male Have you lived in a Nordic country? 55 Female EDUCATION No university 33 Yes 58 secondary, secondary vocational 9 lower than secondary 97 3 0 50 (%) AGE 16 - 30 100 23 31 - 40 15 41 - 50 WHERE? 18 51 - 64 Norway 23 65 + 21 11 Sweden NATIVE LANGUAGE Lithuanian 92 6 Denmark 4 8 Russian on other TYPE OF SETTLEMENT Capital Vilniaus 17 Other urban 50 0 20 40 1 Iceland 1 0 33 Rural Finland (%) 60 80 100 2 4 6 N 8 10 12

SUMMARY

Summary It was quite expected, that all three Baltic countries has a positive attitude towards closer cooperation with the Nordic countries. The study revealed that good cooperation with the Nordic countries is considered as important and people would like to see even more cooperation between the Baltic and the Nordic countries. Talking about institutions and meetings that constitute Nordic cooperation, the overall majority of residents in Baltic countries would like to have closer integration of with these institutions. When evaluating most important base for cooperation with the Nordic countries, the majority of the respondents agree, that small countries need to cooperate. But beside that the geographical proximity is also important, as well as sharing the same values and having cultural similarities. Nordic Council of Ministers

Summary In the people’s opinion, the most important directions /sectors for cooperation with Nordic countries are economy, education and science, tourism, culture, innovation and new technologies. From seven potential benefits that Baltic countries could get from cooperation with the Nordic countries the respondents have chosen most often the possibility to learn from each other, to increase trade and competitiveness and to move around for studies and work. According to the public opinion the most typical values for the Nordic countries are social welfare, environmental awareness and freedom of expression and speech. Nordic Council of Ministers

Summary People in Baltic countries believe that they could contribute to the Nordic countries with labor force and human resources, with opportunities for tourism; with cultural heritage, cultural values and services. Because Estonian people are convinced that Estonia is a leading IT-country, the main thing to offer to Nordic countries would be IT-development and digital services. Lithuanians would like to provide to the Nordic countries with their innovations and science achievements, but also with natural resources. The Nordic countries also have their negative side. The liberal immigration and refugee policy is not very popular. People also find too liberal attitudes towards sexual minorities and support for samesex marriages problematic. Exaggerated gender equality and genderneutral education is also criticized. Nordic Council of Ministers

Summary Giving a spontaneous answer about persons or characters that come first into the mind, Estonian respondents differ from respondents in Latvia and Lithuania. If in Latvia and Lithuania different characters from literature or mythology prevail, then in Estonia people first of all mention politicians, especially from Finland. In Latvia and Lithuania we got most often the answers like “trolls”, “Santa Claus”, “Karlsson”. In Estonia Sauli Niinistö, Tarja Halonen and Urho Kekkonen are frequently mentioned, in addition to the King of Sweden, who have played an important role in Estonian history. Astrid Lindgren is well-known in all three Baltic states and people also remember the former prime minister of Sweden, Olof Palme. Nordic Council of Ministers

ATTITUDES ABOUT COOPERATION WITH NORDIC COUNTRIES

How important is good cooperation with the Nordic countries? on a five-point scale, where "1" is "not at all important" and "5" - "very important" "5" ALL "4" MEAN 62 4, 50 26 Estonia 65 26 4, 58 Lithuania 67 22 4, 54 Latvia 53 0 10 20 30 31 40 50 60 70 4, 39 80 90 100

How do you evaluate the current level of cooperation with the Nordic countries? Do you want see more or less cooperation between Estonia/Latvia/ Lithuania and Nordic countries or you find the current situation is good? less 1% don't know 9% don't know 14% ESTONIA more 58% present is good 32% LATVIA less 1% more 63% present is good 22% don't know 2% LITHUANIA ALL present is good 23% more 75% Nordic Council of Ministers More 67% Present is good 25% Less 1% Don’t know 7%

Would you like more close integration to Nordic institutions and meetings? on a five-point scale, where "1" is "not at all” and "5" - “absolutely yes" "5" ALL "4" 50 Lithuania 26 28 0 4, 51 24 50 Latvia 4, 30 29 64 Estonia MEAN 4, 31 39 20 40 3, 96 60 80 100

Comments The society of all three Baltic countries has a positive attitude towards closer cooperation with the Nordic countries: For dominant part of residents in Baltic countries a good cooperation with the Nordic countries is considered as important: in Estonia 91% evaluate it as very or rather important (65% give five points and 26% four points on the five -point scale). In Lithuania the respective percentage is 89% (67% - “ 5” and 22% - “ 4”) and in Latvia 84% (53% - “ 5” and 31% - “ 4”); 75% in Lithuania, 63% in Latvia and 58% in Estonia would like to see more cooperation between own country and Nordic countries; 32% in Estonia, 23% in Lithuania and 21% in Latvia find the current level of cooperation good enough. Overall majority of residents in Baltic countries would like to have closer integration with Nordic countries and their institutions: in Lithuania 88%; in Estonia 76% and in Latvia 67%. On the 5 -point scale 64% in Lithuania answer “ 5” and 24% “ 4”; (in Estonia 50% and 26%; in Latvia 28% and 39% respectively). Nordic Council of Ministers

BASE FOR COOPERATION, MOST IMPORTANT SECTORS FOR COOPERATION AND GREATEST BENEFITS FROM COOPERATION

Base for cooperation with the Nordic countries /ALL 3 COUNTRIES/ Fully agree Rather agree Can't say Small countries need to cooperate Fully disagree 73 Geographical proximity 19 44 We share same values 33 25 We have cultural similarities 16 0% 17 38 33 20% 40% 60% 7 3 13 24 24 5 21 13 42 20 We have similar structure of society Nordic Council of Ministers Rather disagree 14 21 80% 3 4 6 100%

Base for cooperation with the Nordic countries Fully agree Rather agree Small countries need to cooperate ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA Geographical proximity ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA We have cultural similarities ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA We share same values ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA We have similar structure of society ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA Rather disagree Fully disagree 79 17 74 33 6 22 30 8 45 34 14 17 29 13 34 8 20 20% 8 19 32 40% 60% 1 4 32 29 9 23 18 17 2 4 22 41 9 10 10 37 17 4 32 45 2 24 51 30 9 8 50 15 12 3 3 37 33 21 6 27 46 9 4 21 67 13 2 11 19 70 0% Nordic Council of Ministers Can't say 5 8 14 80% 3 5 100%

Comments When evaluating most important base for cooperation with the Nordic countries, the majority of the respondents agreed with the following statements: Small countries need to cooperate (96% of respondents in Estonia, 93% in Latvia and 91% in Lithuania fully or rather agreed with the statement); Geographical proximity (agreed 94% in Estonia, 83% in Latvia and 66% in Lithuania); We share same values (agreed 80% in Estonia, 67% in Lithuania and 60% in Latvia); We have cultural similarities (agreed 80% in Estonia, 58% in Latvia and 48% in Lithuania); We have similar structure of society; similar social order (agreed 58% in Estonia, 48% in Lithuania and 43% in Latvia). Respondents estimate geographic proximity correctly: Estonia is closest to the Nordic countries and Lithuania the farthest. Nordic culture and values are the closest to the people of Estonia. The statement that we have similar structure of society, gets the least acceptance. Nordic Council of Ministers

The most important sectors for cooperation with the Nordic countries Respondents could choose a maximum of five responses ALL 82 Economy 53 Education and science 47 Tourism Culture 38 Innovation and new technologies 37 Defence policy 37 Foreign policy 33 Social- and welfare policy 32 27 Environmental protection 22 Sport 14 Equal rights for anyone 10 Integration and refugee policy 9 Development of civil society 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 (%) 60 80 100

The most important sectors for cooperation with the Nordic countries Respondents could choose a maximum of five responses LITHUANIA LATVIA ESTONIA Economy Education and science Tourism 40 38 37 36 37 41 36 Innovation and new technologies Culture 19 Environmental protection 32 Defence policy 33 36 37 Foreign policy Social- and welfare policy Sport 17 Integration and refugee policy 6 Equal rights for anyone 8 8 Development of civil society 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 36 22 21 29 29 31 51 48 47 51 85 82 74 57 42 39 26 11 13 15 13 11 10 10 20 30 40 (%) 50 60 70 80 90

Comments The most important cooperation directions / sectors with Nordic countries are: Economy (mentioned by 85% respondents in Lithuania, 82% in Latvia and 74% in Estonia); Education and science (57% in Lithuania, 51% in Latvia and 47% in Estonia); Tourism (51% in Latvia, 47% in Lithuania and 40% in Estonia); Culture (41% in Latvia, 37% in Lithuania and 36% in Estonia); Innovation and new technologies (38% in Lithuania, 37% in Latvia and 36% in Estonia); Comparing with other Baltic neighbours Lithuanian people consider foreign (37%) and defence policy (42%) more important, in Latvia - social- and welfare policy (39%) and sport (26%), in Estonia - environmental protection (36%). Women value more the cooperation in education and science, social- and welfare policy and culture; men prefer more innovation and new technologies and defence policy. Nordic Council of Ministers

The greatest benefits from a cooperation /ALL 3 COUNTRIES/ Respondents could choose a maximum of three responses from seven alternatives ALL We can learn from each other 60 We can increase our trade and competitiveness 53 It is easier for people to move around 46 Together we have a stronger voice in the world 33 We can save money by cooperating 31 We can use each other's resources 31 It is easier to solve problems toghether 28 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 (%) 60 80

The greatest benefits from a cooperation Respondents could choose a maximum of three responses from seven alternatives LITHUANIA LATVIA ESTONIA 53 52 52 We can increase our trade and competitiveness 61 We can learn from each other 50 It is easier for people to move around 37 Together we have a stronger voice in the world 53 44 32 25 44 30 33 29 We can save money by cooperating 27 28 28 It is easier to solve problems toghether 29 We can use each other's resources 25 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 67 20 37 40 (%) 60 80

Comments The seven potential benefits that Baltic countries could get from cooperation with the Nordic countries were presented to the respondents. They had three alternatives to choose. Respondents most often named the following as the most important benefits: We can learn from each other (Latvia 67%, Lithuania 61%, Estonia 50%); We can increase our trade and competitiveness (Lithuania 53%, Estonia and Latvia 52%). It is easier for people to move around for studies and work (Lithuania 53%, Estonia 44%, Latvia 37%); Together with Nordic countries we have a stronger voice in the world (Estonia 44%, Lithuania 32%, Latvia 25%). Nordic Council of Ministers

TYPICAL VALUES FOR THE NORDIC COUNTRIES

Typical values for the Nordic countries /certainly, %/ Evaluated on a three-point scale: certainly, to some extent, no ALL 73 Social welfare Environmental awareness 68 Freedom of speech 63 Responsibility for future generations 61 Honesty 59 Gender equality 58 All human beings have same rights and. . . 55 Open and democratic processes 54 Open and inclusive society 53 Trust in each other 42 Empathy 35 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 60 80

Typical values for the Nordic countries /certainly, %/ Evaluated on a three-point scale: certainly, to some extent, no LITHUANIA LATVIA ESTONIA 71 79 68 65 72 70 Social welfare Environmental awareness 58 62 Freedom of speech 62 64 Responsibility for future generations 56 60 54 63 55 Honesty Gender equality 49 All human beings have same rights and. . . 68 57 57 53 50 60 52 51 58 51 Open and democratic processes Open and inclusive society Trust in each other 34 29 Empathy 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 73 20 41 38 40 56 46 60 80 100

Comments Overwhelming majority of the respondents find all listed values certainly or to some extent typical for the Nordic countries. The dominant values are: Social welfare (79% in Latvia, 71% in Lithuania, 68% in Estonia); Environmental awareness (72% in Latvia, 70% in Estonia, 65% in Lithuania); Freedom of expression/ speech (73% of respondents in Estonia, 62% in Latvia, 58% in Lithuania); Less typical values are: Open and inclusive society (58% in Estonia, 52% in Lithuania and 51% in Latvia); Trust in each other (56% in Estonia 41% in Lithuania and 34% in Latvia); Empathy (46% in Estonia, 38% in Latvia and 29% in Lithuania). Nordic Council of Ministers

WHAT CAN ESTONIA/LATVIA/LITHUANIA CONTRIBUTE TO THE NORDIC COUNTRIES

What can Estonia contribute to the Nordic countries? 336 respondents gave the answer (56% from all) Development of IT sector, digital services 101 good relations and cooperation 51 culture 39 technology and innovation 33 labour force 29 tourism 23 pure nature, nature protection 19 science 16 education, student exchange 14 trade and transit 11 understanding Russia and post-Soviet. . . 8 Estonian products, handicraft 8 OTHER 31 nothing 8 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 60 N 80 100 120

What can Latvia contribute to the Nordic countries? 440 respondents gave the answer (73% from all) Labor force / human resources 89 Tourism / Leisure options 85 Culture, art, opera-ballet 83 Natural resources: timber, forests, peak 63 Education / student exchange programs 26 Latvian products, handicraft 25 Food products/ organic food 21 Cooperation in different sectors of the. . . 21 Our values 20 Knowledge / Intellectual Potential 19 Cultural traditions / song and dance. . . 19 Innovation / innovative ideas 14 Mutual trade / trading opportunities 10 OTHER 48 Nothing 57 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 N 60 80 100

What can Lithuania contribute to the Nordic countries? 423 respondents gave the answer (70% from all) Innovations, science 99 Resources, trade 85 Labour force 77 Culture 73 Tourism, environmental protection 61 Cooperation 47 Professionals 42 Goods transporting, transport, . . . 18 Students exchange 10 Defence 7 Sports 6 Support for investments 6 OTHER 4 nothing 55 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 60 N 80 100 120

COMMENTS People in all three Baltic countries express the opinion that Estonia/ Latvia/ Lithuania could contribute to the Nordic countries with … Labour force, human resources (5% in Estonia, 15% in Latvia, 13% in Lithuania); Opportunities for tourism (4% in Estonia; 14% in Latvia, 10% in Lithuania); Cultural heritage, cultural values and services (7% in Estonia; 13% in Latvia, 12% in Lithuania). Estonian people are convinced that Estonia is a leading IT-country and the main thing we could offer to Nordic countries is IT-development and digital services (17%). Lithuanians think, that they can contribute most offering Nordic countries innovations and science achievements (16%), but also natural resources (14%). There about 10 percent of respondents in Latvia and Lithuania and only 2 percent in Estonia who think their country has nothing to contribute with. Nordic Council of Ministers

WHAT BALTIC PEOPLE DON’T LIKE ABOUT NORDIC COUNTRIES

Is there something you don’t like about the Nordic countries? /ESTONIA/ 291 respondents gave the answer (48, 5% from all) Immigration policy, openness to refugees 115 19 Exaggerated gender equality Closed and cold nature of the people 16 Excessive political correctness, liberalism 16 Tolerance towards sexual minorites 15 Inadequate policy on children's rights 15 Too high well-being, socialism 14 9 Arrogance, consider themselves suprior High taxes 5 Cold and dark climate 4 Slow decision making, bureaucracy 4 High cost of living 4 Discrimination of immigants, racism 4 21 OTHER There is no such thing 46 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 30 60 N 90 120

Is there something you don’t like about the Nordic countries? /LATVIA/ 364 respondents gave the answer (60% from all) Tolerance towards sexual minorites 42 29 Immigration policy, openness to refugees Inadequate policy on children's rights 24 Arrogance, consider themselves suprior 24 Closed character, individualism 20 Cold climate, frost 19 Prices are too high 9 Too tolerant, living in illusions 9 Too free sexual behaviour 9 Excessive gender equality, same-sex marriages 6 Excessive social justice, too many benefits 6 Too liberal towards children's sexual education 6 Non-cultural, vulgar tourists 4 42 OTHER There is no such thing 146 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 30 60 N 90 120 150

Is there something you don’t like about the Nordic countries? /LITHUANIA/ 395 respondents gave the answer (65% from all) 100 Inadequate policy on children's rights Discrimination of immigants, racism 32 Tolerance towards sexual minorites 29 Immigration policy, openness to refugees 18 Closed and cold nature of the people 17 Alienation, lack of cooperation 10 Arrogance, consider themselves suprior 9 Social evils: drugs, prostitution 7 Irresponsibility of Nordic banks and businesses 6 Crime, too many guns 6 Cold and dark climate 3 Slow decision making, bureaucracy 3 High cost of living 3 OTHER 16 There is no such thing 161 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 30 60 90 N 120 150

COMMENTS People in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are mainly disturbed by the excessive liberalism and political correctness of the Nordic countries There are 19 percent of respondents in Estonia, 5 percent in Latvia and 3 percent in Lithuania who don’t like liberal immigration and refugee policy in the Nordic countries. People also find problematic too liberal attitudes towards sexual minorities and support for same-sex marriages (in Latvia 6%, in Lithuania 5%, in Estonia 3%); Disputes over custody of Russian children have been a persistent issue in the Russian media over the past decade. 17% respondents in Lithuania, 6% Latvia and 3% in Estonia find, that inadequate policy on children’s rights and separation of children from their families as negative side of Nordic countries. Also exaggerated gender equality and gender-neutral education will be criticized in Estonia (3%) and Latvia (1%). There about 24 percent of respondents in Latvia, 27 percent in Lithuania and 8 percent in Estonia who think there is nothing they don’t like in Nordic countries. Nordic Council of Ministers

PERSON OR CHARACTER THAT COMES FIRST INTO MIND WHEN THINKING ON NORDIC COUNTRIES

Persons or characters symbolizing Nordic countries /ESTONIA/ 389 respondents gave the answer (65% from all) Sauli Niinistö King(s) of Sweden Tarja Halonen Astrid Lindgren Other royals Urho Kaleva Kekkonen other politicians Olof Palme Winter sport, skiing, skiers Jean Sibelius other athletes other Nordic writers Mannerheim Finland Finns Trolls Karlsson-on-the-Roof Edvard Grieg Vikings Nobel Prize, scientists Economic agents, companies H. C. Andersen muud kultuuritegelased Carl Bildt 80 60 50 42 39 39 36 25 24 23 22 13 12 9 9 8 8 8 8 7 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 N 60 80 100

Persons or characters symbolizing Nordic countries /LATVIA/ 355 respondents gave the answer (59% from all) Astrid Lindgren Vikings Karlsson-on-the-Roof Trolls Athletes, achievements in sport Royal families, king(s) Santa Claus ABBA H. C. Andersen Olof Palme Ice hockey Henrik Ibsen Knut Hamsun Reindeer Nobel Prize, scientists Fjords Jean Sibelius Sigrid Undset Pippi Longstrump Nokia Per Gynt Fishing, fishes 40 40 36 31 31 27 25 20 17 15 9 8 8 7 6 5 5 5 8 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 10 20 30 N 40 50

Persons or characters symbolizing Nordic countries /LITHUANIA/ 365 respondents gave the answer (60, 5% from all) Santa Claus 66 Vikings 66 40 Karlsson-on-the-Roof Moomintroll 35 Astrid Lindgren 22 Royal families, kings 16 Olof Palme 16 Winter sport, skiing, skiers 24 H. C. Andersen 13 Reindeer 11 White bear 11 Mermaid 11 Breivik 11 Edvard Grieg 9 Nobel Prize, scientists 6 Pippi Longstrump 6 woods, environment 6 singers, artists 6 5 Björk 0 Nordic Council of Ministers 20 40 N 60 80 100

COMMENTS Answering this question, respondents in Estonia are different from respondents in Latvia and Lithuania. If in Latvia and Lithuania there are mainly different characters from literature or mythology coming into mind to the people, then in Estonia people remind politicians first of all, especially from Finland. So, in Latvia and Lithuania the answers like “trolls”, “Santa Claus”, “Karlsson” prevail. In Estonia people most often mention Finnish political leaders: Sauli Niinistö, Tarja Halonen, Urho Kekkonen and beside them the King of Sweden, that have had important role in Estonian history. Of course, Astrid Lindgren is well-known in all three Baltic states. And people also remember murdered prime minister of Sweden Olof Palme. Nordic Council of Ministers