IRI Poll: Georgians Maintain Pro-Western Attitudes

International Republican Institute (IRI) released a poll about political choices of Georgian people between Russia and the West.

“According to the poll, 85 percent of those surveyed say they support joining the European Union and 79 percent support joining NATO. Georgians list the European Union and the United States as important partners while 71 percent consider Russia to be their country’s biggest threat.  However 59 percent strongly support further dialogue with Russia,” IRI website announced.

The cases of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the breakaway regions of Georgia, still are the top agenda of Georgian people.

IRI states: “77 percent of respondents describe Georgia’s relationship with Russia as “bad” and 67 percent believe Russian aggression is active and ongoing. Russian military forces remain present in the two regions, nearly eight years after a peace agreement was signed.”

“For Georgians a close relationship with the West is incredibly important,” said Stephen Nix, IRI’s Eurasia director. “Not only does the West provide a safeguard against Russian aggression, it also offers the promise of economic growth.  Georgians see the West as their link to broader stability overall.”