CHISINAU -- New Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat has asked the European Union to offer Moldovans "a clear perspective for joining the EU," RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.
Filat told the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels that his country needs EU economic help to overcome its current economic crisis and to implement market-oriented reforms.
Answering a question from a European deputy, Filat said his country could discuss eventual NATO membership when the public opinion in Moldova learns more about the alliance.
He said NATO's image today in his country is largely negative because it has been formed mainly by Russian media.
Moldova maintains neutrality under its constitution.
In Brussels on September 29, Filat became the first Moldovan leader in a decade to publicly announce abroad that his language is "Romanian."
He also promised to strengthen ties with EU-member Romania.
Moldova's previous Communist Party government called the country's language "Moldovan," although the languages spoken in Romania and Moldova are the same.