Informed, informed and fact-based decisions must be the foundation of public opinion in the Republic of Moldova, said sociologist Tatiana Cojocari, a participant in the public debate: "The image of the EU in the perception of Moldovan citizens". She stressed that the polarization of opinions should not be avoided, but managed correctly, without coercion or misinformation, IPN reports.

"Should our citizens support the EU integration process or not? I say we should not. No one in this country is obliged to support an idea if they do not agree with it. What is important, however, is that everyone makes an informed decision, based on realities, on existing facts, and takes it on board. Our role, as civil society, state and institutions, is to inform citizens on how to make this decision", Tatiana Cojocari noted.

The sociologist drew attention to the fact that public opinion is a key factor in shaping public policies and government agendas. At the same time, she explained that the imposition of a single position, characteristic of dictatorships, undermines the benefits of diversity of opinions. "Polarization of public opinion is beneficial if it is not fueled by excessive misinformation. Every citizen's decision matters and can influence public policy priorities, whether through the media, citizens' initiatives or demonstrations," Cojocari added.

Tatiana Cojocari criticized the approach of pro-European campaigns in the past, which focused exclusively on material benefits. She emphasized the need for more critical and detailed communication about the values and mechanisms of the European Union: "We have not explained enough what the European Union is, how it works and what are the values that bring us closer. The fact that people don't understand these things makes them vulnerable to misinformation," Tatiana Cojocari noted.

Another aspect underlined was the importance of direct dialog with citizens, especially on the ground. "In the referendum campaign, we noticed that face-to-face dialog is the most effective. This is how we can better understand people's fears and give clear answers to their questions. The European Union is a complex entity and it is precisely this complexity that can be frightening, but it needs to be explained because it is an attribute of democracy," said the sociologist.

To maintain support for the European vector, Moldova must rely on a solid public consensus and accurate information. "Public opinion is not fixed, but evolves over time, influenced by factors such as misinformation, politicians and the media. Our role is to make sure that public opinion is shaped correctly, because this is the only way we can move forward on the European path", concluded Tatiana Cojocari.

The public debate on "The image of the EU in the perception of Moldovan citizens" is organized in the framework of the project "IPN News Agency for social cohesion and pro-European Moldova", funded by IMS.