SKOPJE, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian citizens have expressed increasing optimism for joining the European Union (EU), a poll conducted by Brima Gallup and released by the International Republication Institute (IRI) showed Monday.
Compared with the previous 13 percent in March, about 41 percent Macedonian citizens are optimistic about their country's prospect of joining the EU, with 77 percent of the population longing for the EU membership.
The poll also showed that more people thought the political situation in the country has become stable and calm, with supporting rate rising to 44 percent from the previous 5 percent, a positive sign that IRI experts attribute to the new government.
Meanwhile, the percentage of people who thought Macedonia's political situation is still tense and uncertain has declined from the previous 62 percent to 18 percent. For those who saw Macedonia as in a critical and unstable situation, the rate has dropped from 32 percent to 10 percent.
The poll was conducted by Macedonian research agency Brima Gallup on Aug. 4-21 among 1,105 respondents.
