(ANSA) - BELGRADE, FEB 7 - Almost half of citizens of Moldova are in favour of their country joining the European Union, according to a new survey of the International Republican Institute (IRI), made public ahead of the February 24 parliamentary elections.

According to the IRI's study, 46% of the respondents said that, if Moldova could only join one international economic union, that one should be the EU, while 39% said that they would opt for the Customs Union/Eurasian Union. The percentage of people in favor of the EU is higher among the 18-29 years old age group, with 64% willing to join the European Union. A combined 44 percent believe the elections scheduled for February 24 will be "completely free and fair" (13%) or "somewhat free and fair" (31%), IRI said, pointing out that this represents a 10-point increase from October 2018. "The growing expectation that these elections will be free and fair presents an opportunity" for "political leaders to deliver a credible electoral process that advances Moldova's democratic development," said IRI Regional Director for Eurasia Stephen Nix. (ANSA).