12 May 2018 12:31

Over half of Moldovans oppose NATO membership - poll

CHISINAU. May 12 (Interfax) - Moldova's integration with the European Union is favored by 38% of the country's citizens; with the Eurasian Economic Union, by 34%, according to the findings of a social survey unveiled by the Centre for Sociological Research of Moldova (CCSM) at a press conference on Friday.

Another 22% said Moldova should unite with Romania, the pollster said.

At the same time, more than half of respondents (54%) opposed Moldova's accession to NATO, 24% backed the idea, and 22% were still undecided.

Asked who is Moldova's best friend, 38% named Russia, 37% Romania, 8% Germany, 5% the United States, and 2% named Ukraine. Other countries were cited by a combined 10%.

At the top of a rating of trusted foreign leaders is Russian President Vladimir Putin (57%), followed by Romanian ex-president Traian Basescu (49%), Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko (34%), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (27%), Georgian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili (17%), U.S. President Donald Trump (15%), Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (10%) and French President Emmanuel Macron (9%).

The survey was conducted among 750 respondents in Chisinau on April-30 - May 8. The margin of error: 3%.