Over two thirds of Moldovans are for accession to EU - poll

If a referendum on Moldova’s accession to the European Union were held next Sunday, 68.4% of the population would vote pro, the results of the Public Opinion Barometer (POB) show, launched Wednesday in Chisinau. The number of those who would vote for the accession to EU is almost similar to that reported in April, and slightly on increase against one year ago, when 64% declared for the accession. At the same time, the number of those who would vote against has reduced, this figure being at 6%, compared to 9% in December 2005 and 8% in April currently. Over 70% of the respondents think if Moldova joins EU, their life would improve to a greater or lesser extent. Over 4% say that life will improve, while one in ten thinks life will not change. Over 32% consider Moldova’s economic state is the most serious obstacle in the process of integration in the EU, while 22% name corruption the main barrier, a phenomenon followed by the government’s insufficient capacity to handle the situation (17%) and the conflict on the left bank of Nistru (16.4%). 6% of those surveyed declared that Moldova has chances to become a member of the EU in the next 2-3 years, 16% say this thing would be possible in 4-5 years. About half of population says that Moldova could become a member of the EU in the next 10-25 years, while about 13% say that this will never happen. 34.3% of the population would vote for Moldova’s NATO membership, almost the same number as reported in the previous surveys. About 18% would vote against, less than reported in the Barometer carried out in 2005 and in April 2006, when 20% and respectively 23% of the population declared against Moldova’s accession to NATO.