The poll found that 34% per cent of respondents felt the EU had good relations with Libya, against just 9% bad, and 55% who didn’t know. Of those asked, 37% saw the EU in a positive light, compared to just 7% for whom it conjured up a negative image.

Of those asked, 27% said the EU was an important partner, with the same number believing the EU and Libya share sufficient common values to be able to cooperate – lower than the average for the ENPI South region (46% and 43% respectively). Of those asked, 27% felt the EU position during the Arab Spring had been supportive of local populations, and 27% felt the EU brought peace and stability to the region.

A quarter (24%) of those asked wanted a greater EU role in economic development, 23% in trade, and 14% in human rights – but on all these questions a consistent 68% did not know.

The poll found that 31% of Libyans trusted the EU – more than other international institutions like the UN (16%) and NATO (13%), but less than they trust their own government (63%), Parliament (60%) or political parties (45%). Thirty-two per cent of those asked agreed enough information was available about the EU, while 24% agreed it was easy to understand. Most of those asked, however, did not have an opinion.

(Source: EU Neighbourhood Info)