A new public opinion poll commissioned by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and released on November 15 shows strong support of Georgian citizens for EU and NATO membership.

As a result, 73% fully support and 13% somewhat support Georgia’s accession to the EU, with 55% saying they would support it even if it meant cutting trade ties with Russia. 45% say that the main benefit of joining the EU is to strengthen the economy, and 27% cite political instability in Georgia as the main obstacle to EU integration.

65% of respondents say that they fully support and 14% say that they somewhat support Georgia joining NATO. 47% name security as the main benefit of joining NATO and 27% say that the main obstacle for NATO integration is opposition by Russia.