Burjanadze: We want to make sure that there are reasons to stay in CIS

Read it in Russian

“We are convinced that all solutions of the situation should be discussed, and the situation can be solved only by political means,” REGNUM correspondent quotes speaker of Georgian parliament Nino Burjanadze to state Nov 16 at the session of the CIS inter-parliamentary assembly in St Petersburg.

Burjanadze announced that she “expects nothing from the CIS:” “The organization does not exist in reality, it cannot suggest solutions to problems.”

Burjanadze claims that while every country has the right to combat illegal migration, in Russia the struggle is directed not against illegal immigration and criminals but against the Georgian population residing in Russia. Burjanadze condemned this as xenophobia, which is frightening in the 21^st century. She also contends that Russia is pressuring Georgia in order to keep it in the realm of its interests. That empires have no future is not realized by Russia, Burjanadze asserts.

Asked by journalists about the goal of her visit to the session of the “nonexistent” organization, Burjanadze said that she came for communication, for holding political discussion. According to her, Russia’s recalling diplomatic mission from Tbilisi is absolutely inadequate, leaving no further chance to hold discussions in Georgia, especially about the issue of xenophobia against the Georgian population.

“We are here to make sure once again if we have any reasons to stay in the organization, or it has no future,” Burjanadze announced. She said she discussed the issues at a closed meeting with speaker of the Federation Council of Russia’s Federal Assembly Sergey Mironov.