Two thirds of the Moldovan population would be willing to vote for the Republic's accession to the European Union, while one third would vote for joining NATO, a poll carried out by the Moldovan Institute for Public Policy shows. If a referendum on ascension to the EU were held today, about 68.4 percent would give a positive answer, while 6.3 percent would vote against, and another 16.1 percent would be undecided.

      Most Moldovans consider the Republic's economic situation to be the main factor hindering the country from joining the EU. The respondents said that their government should undertake serious reforms (27 percent) and concrete practical measures (26 percent) to speed up the process of accession. Moldovans named some other obstacles, such as the European Union's willingness to accept Moldova (20.7 percent) and close cooperation with Romania (18.9 percent). Moldovans believe that they can achieve EU membership in the next 10 years (30 percent), 20-25 years (19.7 percent), or 4-5 years (16.1 percent). Meanwhile, 12.8 percent of the respondents thought that Moldova would never join the EU.

      More than a third of Moldovans (34.3 percent) would vote to join NATO, while 18.1 percent were against. Another 31.7 percent were undecided on the subject. Some 24.6 percent of respondents said that NATO membership was the best way to provide the country with security.