Support for Georgia's NATO membership increases

Support of Georgia's NATO membership increased compared to last year, according to results of a study conducted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in March. Joining the Alliance is supported fully by 56% of respondents; last year’s figure was lower.

Most respondents consider NATO membership as a rather distant prospect. Some 34% of respondents believe that Georgia will join NATO after 2013. 7% responded that they foresee it happening in 2012 - 7% believe that membership will never occur.

Most respondents are dissatisfied with the Georgian government’s current policy toward Russia. Some 12% of respondents fully accept the authorities’ policy, while 28% reject it.

Some 71% of respondents believe that Russia poses a threat to Georgia’s sovereignty. Nine percent does not agree with it. Most of the respondents (74%) support dialogue with Russia.

Also, Georgia's integration into European institutions was met with a positive response, with a 73% approval rating.

The study requested by NDI was conducted by the Caucasus Research Resource Center on March 4-17. Some 2,893 respondents were surveyed throughout Georgia.


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