The International Republican Institute (IRI), in a survey, found that 86% of respondents supported joining the European Union and 79% wanted to join NATO.
According to the survey, 86% support joining the European Union (73% fully support and 13% somewhat), and 79% support NATO (65% fully support and 14% slightly support).
Among those who support the European Union, 17% are against it if it means cutting off trade relations with Russia. 74% still support it. 9% don’t know or refuse to answer.
45% of respondents cited the strengthening of their economy as the most important benefit of joining the European Union. 14% named security, 14% development of the country and 8% better future.
Georgia has not met the obligations of the EU Association Agreement. 13% of respondents cited this.
As for NATO, 47% of respondents cite security as the most important benefit of joining the North Atlantic Alliance. 17% mention defense, 13% strengthen the economy, 6% development of the country and 5% peace/stability.
27% of respondents cite Russia as the main obstacle to Georgia joining NATO. 20% cite the status of occupied areas, 14% cite political instability in Georgia. 11% cite internal opposition in Georgia. 7% cite opposition from NATO countries.
The Institute of Polling and Marketing carried out the fieldwork for the survey. The survey was coordinated on behalf of Center for Insights in Survey Research by Dr. Rasa Alisauskiene, of the public and marketing research company Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization. The data was collected in Georgia between September 14, 2023 and October 14, 2023 through CAPI administered home-based interviews. The sample consisted n=1,200 Georgia permanent residents who were 18 years old and eligible to vote. The sample is representative of the population in terms of age, gender and region. The response rate was 73%. The margin of error is +-2.5 percentage points for the full sample mid-range at 95% confidence. The US Agency for International Development funded the survey.
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge