Georgia Rejects CIS Concept Paper
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has not produced a single ?positive norm? in respect of Georgia, President Saakashvili said on October 5 on the sideline of the CIS summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
As a result, he said, Georgia has refused to sign a concept paper laying out the organization?s development plans.
?We have good relations with almost all the member states, but there are a number of issues with the Russian Federation, which have not been resolved,? Saakashvili told reporters. ?These issues concern free movement of people, free movement of our products and services. Actually, Russia has imposed a 100% trade and economic embargo on Georgia.?
In a tough-worded statement last week Saakashvili said he wanted to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the sideline of the CIS summit to personally complain.
A bilateral meeting between the two presidents, however, did not take place.
?We are ready to discuss all the issues with Russia in a constructive way, we are ready to hold lots of meetings at all levels, including at the top level,? Saakashvili said. ?But we cannot say that these [CIS] mechanisms are working well. I am not going to delude myself or anyone else.?
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