The study, which is based on the latest public opinion surveys and focus groups in the field of security and defence, analyses the perception of Moldovan citizens regarding NATO and the relationship that Moldova has with the North Atlantic Alliance. The causes of the perception inherited from the past, dominated by prejudices, stereotypes and clichés, are explained, an attitude that is extremely difficult to change in the absence of any general information campaign for the population. The factors that maintain this misperception are also analysed: the low level of security culture in society and within the political class, poor public communication in the field of security and defence, strong propaganda, aggressive, intensely anti-NATO discourse of the Russian media in the Republic of Moldova, diminish public and political support for more resolute action to strengthen security and defence and cooperation with NATO and the EU.