A new survey conducted by the Center for Survey Research at the International Republican Institute (IRI) reveals that there is a high level of optimism and support for membership in the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) before the referendum on September 30 in Macedonia.
According to the survey, the majority of Macedonian citizens are in favour of resolving the name dispute with Greece. A total of 57 percent “fully or somewhat support” the proposal for Macedonia to join the EU and NATO under the new name “Republic of North Macedonia”.
The same percentage (57%) believe that the benefits of membership justify the acceptance of the new name.
Half of the respondents (49%) intend to vote to resolve the name dispute, compared to 22 percent, who will vote against the proposed change.
“As Macedonia approaches this important referendum, support for a compromised solution to the name dispute that would open the door to EU and NATO membership, suggests a strong affinity for transatlantic institutions,” said Paul McCarthy, Acting Regional Director of IRI for Europe.
Support for EU and NATO membership continues to grow. The number of respondents supporting Macedonia’s EU membership has risen to 83 percent – an increase of six percent from August 2017 and an increase of 11 percent since March 2017. Support for NATO also remains strong at 77 percent.
