According to the analysis conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research, 78 per cent of citizens either “definitely” (59 per cent) or “somewhat” (19 per cent) support Georgia’s membership in NATO, while 15 per cent either “definitely” (8 per cent) or “somewhat” (6 per cent) oppose this idea. Eight per cent either does not know or does not answer.

At the same time, 23 per cent of respondents named security as the country’s main benefit of joining NATO, 20 per cent defence, 13 per cent strengthening the economy, 11 per cent returning back the lost territories, 8 per cent stability, 4 per cent military support, and three per cent a better future.

Asked a question of when do they think Georgia would become a member of NATO, 23 per cent of respondents answered after 2024, 53 per cent do not know or have no answer, and 12 per cent say never.

As for the EU membership, 83 per cent of respondents support it, while 9 per cent reject it.

This survey was conducted on behalf of IRI’s Center for Insights in Survey Research by Dr Rasa Alisauskiene of the public and market research company Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization between February 2 and February 26, 2021.