Ukraine-related Resolution divides Parliament

Georgian Dream members - the political coalition currently in power - have criticized several parts of the proposed draft Resolution prepared by the opposition party United National Movement (UNM). The Resolution drafts condemn Russia’s activities in Ukraine.

Members of Parliament from both parties spent all day yesterday trying to resolve differences within the document but after a whole day of negotiations, their attempts were unsuccessful.

Parliament Chairman and Speaker Davit Usupashvili said work on the Resolution would continue today, March 6.

Georgian Dream MP Irakli Chikovani said that despite the differences between the two competing parties, Parliament will accept the Resolution in the near future.

"We are working on the text that will include Georgia’s position on the issue, the one already voiced by our President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The opinion of the Parliament minority will also be considered,” Chikovani stated.

Resolution drafts condemned Russia’s activities in Ukraine and compared the current situation in Crimea with Russia’s action in Georgia in the early 1990s and 2008.

The document called for the international community to impose sanctions on Moscow and demanded Georgian Government to join the sanctions.

When discussed, Georgian Dream members disagreed on some points of the draft.

The party condemned Russia and its aggression in Georgia however its MPs believed UNM tried to "avoid responsibility” for their actions as the former Government and made mistakes in the Foreign Policy.

When the Resolution is passed, it will be the third document issued by Georgian Parliament in support of Ukraine.

"This time it is essential to stress that we demand the de-occupation of Georgia together with the de-occupation of Ukraine,” stated UNM MP Giorgi Gabashvili.