The Georgian Parliament is expected to discuss a draft resolution proposed by the opposition lawmakers calling for Georgia?s withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on November 10.
The Parliamentary Bureau – a body uniting senior MPs that outlines a weekly schedule of the Parliament ? approved on November 6 to discuss the issue proposed by the Democrat Front parliamentary faction (composed by MPs from Conservative and Republican parties) at the session this week.
?On Friday the Parliament will discuss our proposal and it will become clear whether the parliamentary majority and President Saakashvili are ready to take the political decision to quit the CIS,? MP Kakha Kukava of the Conservative Party said on November 6.
Despite this approval it is unlikely that the resolution will be passed by the Parliament, as lawmakers from the ruling party say ?more proper timing? is needed to make a decision about withdrawal from the CIS. They also say that quitting the CIS may create unfavorable conditions for Georgia?s foreign trade with its CIS partners.
?We should understand that in the case of our immediate withdrawal, for example from Ukraine, we will have to import goods at a 12% increased price,? Mikheil Machavariani, the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, said on November 6.
?I think it would not be right to further fuel tensions with Russia by announcing our withdrawal from the CIS,? MP Maia Nadiradze, the parliamentary majority leader, said on November 6.
On May 2, 2006 President Saakashvili instructed the government to report on the possible consequences of Georgia?s withdrawal from the CIS ?in a maximum of two months? and a governmental commission chaired by PM Zurab Nogaideli was set up to study the issue on May 10. The commission continues to work on the issue, but conclusions are not yet available, according to the PM?s press office.
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