Review of the Parliamentary Committees’ Meeting. June 12-13

Committee for Foreign Relations

On June 12 a special committee hearings were dedicated to the discussion of the “Statement of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Parliament of Georgia Regarding Amendments to the Law on Citizenship Adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation”.

The amendments offer simplified procedures to those persons, who had citizenship of the former Soviet Union. The law on “Protection of the Rights of Citizens”, shall also be noted here. This law, which is already in force, allows the state to use any tool, including nuclear weapons, to protect its citizens.

PM Ada Marshania brought to the attention of the committee the alarming statistical data, saying that more that 40 000 Abkhazians obtained Russian citizenship. However, according to the UN, there are only 25000 Abkhazians residing on the territory of the breakaway region. Committee Chairman Zviad Mukbaniani said that “special offices are opened in Sochi city, where Abkhazians are massively applying for Russian citizenship”.

The committee members expressed anxiety regarding these amendments and stated that the legalization of the lost Georgian territories has started.

The parliament members’ attitude was very radical. Issues such as termination of Russian blue helmets mandate, denunciation of all cabal agreements, concluded after 1993, were raised. The particular attention was paid to a preventive measure, such as full enforcement of the visa regime by the Georgian side, which would consider cancellation of simplified visa regime in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee chose moderate position. As a member of the work group of Frame Agreement with Russia, he called upon his colleagues to avoid deterioration of relatively settled relations with Russia and bringing process of the Frame Agreement elaboration to a dead end.

Committee member Vakhtang Khamaldze said that simplified rules for obtaining a citizenship do not contradict with the International Law, since every state has the right to handle citizenship matters independently. However, introduction of the visa regime [by Russia] definitely was a violation of the International Law and this was also confirmed by almost every major international organization.

The committee decided to re-edit the statement text, considering these opinions. The Parliament will Discuss  the statement during the next week sessions.

Taxes and Incomes Committee

On June 13 the Committee discussed “Amendments to the Tax Code” proposed by the executive government.

Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili presented a draft law, which considers 65 corrections to the Code. The amendments cancel existing tax benefits (including those for disabled persons) and improve administration mechanisms.

Deputy Finance Minister stated that “50 million Laris is a loss, that the budget will suffer without these amendments”. The government members clearly showed that they want these amendments approved as soon as possible to be allowed to fill the budget more efficiently.

Majority of these amendments repeal amendments to the Tax Code, initiated by the “Industrialists”. The Industrialists kept fighting for liberalization of the Code from the day they came to the Parliament. They achieved the goal nearly one month ago. But the victory was very short. Despite such a background, the Industrialists did not oppose the new amendments during the hearings. They only requested the effect brought by Code liberalization to be analyzed.

The draft law will be discussed next week. If adopted, it will come into force upon publication.

Finance and Budget Committee

The committee had quite untraditional hearings. The committee discussed  budget report of the first 4 months of year 2002.

During approval of the Budget 2002, the Government and the State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze in particular, made an oath to report the Parliament on fulfillment of the budget and suggest ways of increase of the income part after the first four months.

Deputy Finance Minister Vasil Gigolashvili failed to match expectations of the Parliament members regarding fulfillment of the budget. The budget deficit of the first four months is approximately 39 million Laris. The biggest part of the deficit is on foreign grants account. Delays are also in financing of the health care and agriculture programs.

The budget office of the Parliament informs that during January-May period incomes to the budget were only 328.11 million Laris instead of 379.40 planned (86.5 %), which means that the budget was short by 51.29 million Laris. Actual incomes lost (i.e. excluding the grants) are worth of 22.2 million Laris.

The Committee Chairman Zaza Sioridze said: “It is a fact that we have major breach in the budget. Reception of grants depends on fulfillment of the obligations, undertaken by the government. I do not know how the government is going to explain their failure to increase incomes to the budget for these 4 months”.

During the hearings the parliament members refrained from political evaluation of the budget deficit. The evaluation will be made during the discussion of the budget report at the parliamentary session.
Committee for Foreign Relations

On June 12 a special committee hearings were dedicated to the discussion of the “Statement of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Parliament of Georgia Regarding Amendments to the Law on Citizenship Adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation”.

The amendments offer simplified procedures to those persons, who had citizenship of the former Soviet Union. The law on “Protection of the Rights of Citizens”, shall also be noted here. This law, which is already in force, allows the state to use any tool, including nuclear weapons, to protect its citizens.

PM Ada Marshania brought to the attention of the committee the alarming statistical data, saying that more that 40 000 Abkhazians obtained Russian citizenship. However, according to the UN, there are only 25000 Abkhazians residing on the territory of the breakaway region. Committee Chairman Zviad Mukbaniani said that “special offices are opened in Sochi city, where Abkhazians are massively applying for Russian citizenship”.

The committee members expressed anxiety regarding these amendments and stated that the legalization of the lost Georgian territories has started.

The parliament members’ attitude was very radical. Issues such as termination of Russian blue helmets mandate, denunciation of all cabal agreements, concluded after 1993, were raised. The particular attention was paid to a preventive measure, such as full enforcement of the visa regime by the Georgian side, which would consider cancellation of simplified visa regime in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee chose moderate position. As a member of the work group of Frame Agreement with Russia, he called upon his colleagues to avoid deterioration of relatively settled relations with Russia and bringing process of the Frame Agreement elaboration to a dead end.

Committee member Vakhtang Khamaldze said that simplified rules for obtaining a citizenship do not contradict with the International Law, since every state has the right to handle citizenship matters independently. However, introduction of the visa regime [by Russia] definitely was a violation of the International Law and this was also confirmed by almost every major international organization.

The committee decided to re-edit the statement text, considering these opinions. The Parliament will Discuss  the statement during the next week sessions.

Taxes and Incomes Committee

On June 13 the Committee discussed “Amendments to the Tax Code” proposed by the executive government.

Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili presented a draft law, which considers 65 corrections to the Code. The amendments cancel existing tax benefits (including those for disabled persons) and improve administration mechanisms.

Deputy Finance Minister stated that “50 million Laris is a loss, that the budget will suffer without these amendments”. The government members clearly showed that they want these amendments approved as soon as possible to be allowed to fill the budget more efficiently.

Majority of these amendments repeal amendments to the Tax Code, initiated by the “Industrialists”. The Industrialists kept fighting for liberalization of the Code from the day they came to the Parliament. They achieved the goal nearly one month ago. But the victory was very short. Despite such a background, the Industrialists did not oppose the new amendments during the hearings. They only requested the effect brought by Code liberalization to be analyzed.

The draft law will be discussed next week. If adopted, it will come into force upon publication.

Finance and Budget Committee

The committee had quite untraditional hearings. The committee discussed  budget report of the first 4 months of year 2002.

During approval of the Budget 2002, the Government and the State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze in particular, made an oath to report the Parliament on fulfillment of the budget and suggest ways of increase of the income part after the first four months.

Deputy Finance Minister Vasil Gigolashvili failed to match expectations of the Parliament members regarding fulfillment of the budget. The budget deficit of the first four months is approximately 39 million Laris. The biggest part of the deficit is on foreign grants account. Delays are also in financing of the health care and agriculture programs.

The budget office of the Parliament informs that during January-May period incomes to the budget were only 328.11 million Laris instead of 379.40 planned (86.5 %), which means that the budget was short by 51.29 million Laris. Actual incomes lost (i.e. excluding the grants) are worth of 22.2 million Laris.

The Committee Chairman Zaza Sioridze said: “It is a fact that we have major breach in the budget. Reception of grants depends on fulfillment of the obligations, undertaken by the government. I do not know how the government is going to explain their failure to increase incomes to the budget for these 4 months”.

During the hearings the parliament members refrained from political evaluation of the budget deficit. The evaluation will be made during the discussion of the budget report at the parliamentary session. Committee for Foreign Relations

On June 12 a special committee hearings were dedicated to the discussion of the “Statement of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Parliament of Georgia Regarding Amendments to the Law on Citizenship Adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation”.

The amendments offer simplified procedures to those persons, who had citizenship of the former Soviet Union. The law on “Protection of the Rights of Citizens”, shall also be noted here. This law, which is already in force, allows the state to use any tool, including nuclear weapons, to protect its citizens.

PM Ada Marshania brought to the attention of the committee the alarming statistical data, saying that more that 40 000 Abkhazians obtained Russian citizenship. However, according to the UN, there are only 25000 Abkhazians residing on the territory of the breakaway region. Committee Chairman Zviad Mukbaniani said that “special offices are opened in Sochi city, where Abkhazians are massively applying for Russian citizenship”.

The committee members expressed anxiety regarding these amendments and stated that the legalization of the lost Georgian territories has started.

The parliament members’ attitude was very radical. Issues such as termination of Russian blue helmets mandate, denunciation of all cabal agreements, concluded after 1993, were raised. The particular attention was paid to a preventive measure, such as full enforcement of the visa regime by the Georgian side, which would consider cancellation of simplified visa regime in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee chose moderate position. As a member of the work group of Frame Agreement with Russia, he called upon his colleagues to avoid deterioration of relatively settled relations with Russia and bringing process of the Frame Agreement elaboration to a dead end.

Committee member Vakhtang Khamaldze said that simplified rules for obtaining a citizenship do not contradict with the International Law, since every state has the right to handle citizenship matters independently. However, introduction of the visa regime [by Russia] definitely was a violation of the International Law and this was also confirmed by almost every major international organization.

The committee decided to re-edit the statement text, considering these opinions. The Parliament will Discuss  the statement during the next week sessions.

Taxes and Incomes Committee

On June 13 the Committee discussed “Amendments to the Tax Code” proposed by the executive government.

Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili presented a draft law, which considers 65 corrections to the Code. The amendments cancel existing tax benefits (including those for disabled persons) and improve administration mechanisms.

Deputy Finance Minister stated that “50 million Laris is a loss, that the budget will suffer without these amendments”. The government members clearly showed that they want these amendments approved as soon as possible to be allowed to fill the budget more efficiently.

Majority of these amendments repeal amendments to the Tax Code, initiated by the “Industrialists”. The Industrialists kept fighting for liberalization of the Code from the day they came to the Parliament. They achieved the goal nearly one month ago. But the victory was very short. Despite such a background, the Industrialists did not oppose the new amendments during the hearings. They only requested the effect brought by Code liberalization to be analyzed.

The draft law will be discussed next week. If adopted, it will come into force upon publication.

Finance and Budget Committee

The committee had quite untraditional hearings. The committee discussed  budget report of the first 4 months of year 2002.

During approval of the Budget 2002, the Government and the State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze in particular, made an oath to report the Parliament on fulfillment of the budget and suggest ways of increase of the income part after the first four months.

Deputy Finance Minister Vasil Gigolashvili failed to match expectations of the Parliament members regarding fulfillment of the budget. The budget deficit of the first four months is approximately 39 million Laris. The biggest part of the deficit is on foreign grants account. Delays are also in financing of the health care and agriculture programs.

The budget office of the Parliament informs that during January-May period incomes to the budget were only 328.11 million Laris instead of 379.40 planned (86.5 %), which means that the budget was short by 51.29 million Laris. Actual incomes lost (i.e. excluding the grants) are worth of 22.2 million Laris.

The Committee Chairman Zaza Sioridze said: “It is a fact that we have major breach in the budget. Reception of grants depends on fulfillment of the obligations, undertaken by the government. I do not know how the government is going to explain their failure to increase incomes to the budget for these 4 months”.

During the hearings the parliament members refrained from political evaluation of the budget deficit. The evaluation will be made during the discussion of the budget report at the parliamentary session.

Committee for Foreign Relations

On June 12 a special committee hearings were dedicated to the discussion of the “Statement of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the Parliament of Georgia Regarding Amendments to the Law on Citizenship Adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation”.

The amendments offer simplified procedures to those persons, who had citizenship of the former Soviet Union. The law on “Protection of the Rights of Citizens”, shall also be noted here. This law, which is already in force, allows the state to use any tool, including nuclear weapons, to protect its citizens.

PM Ada Marshania brought to the attention of the committee the alarming statistical data, saying that more that 40 000 Abkhazians obtained Russian citizenship. However, according to the UN, there are only 25000 Abkhazians residing on the territory of the breakaway region. Committee Chairman Zviad Mukbaniani said that “special offices are opened in Sochi city, where Abkhazians are massively applying for Russian citizenship”.

The committee members expressed anxiety regarding these amendments and stated that the legalization of the lost Georgian territories has started.

The parliament members’ attitude was very radical. Issues such as termination of Russian blue helmets mandate, denunciation of all cabal agreements, concluded after 1993, were raised. The particular attention was paid to a preventive measure, such as full enforcement of the visa regime by the Georgian side, which would consider cancellation of simplified visa regime in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee chose moderate position. As a member of the work group of Frame Agreement with Russia, he called upon his colleagues to avoid deterioration of relatively settled relations with Russia and bringing process of the Frame Agreement elaboration to a dead end.

Committee member Vakhtang Khamaldze said that simplified rules for obtaining a citizenship do not contradict with the International Law, since every state has the right to handle citizenship matters independently. However, introduction of the visa regime [by Russia] definitely was a violation of the International Law and this was also confirmed by almost every major international organization.

The committee decided to re-edit the statement text, considering these opinions. The Parliament will Discuss  the statement during the next week sessions.

Taxes and Incomes Committee

On June 13 the Committee discussed “Amendments to the Tax Code” proposed by the executive government.

Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili presented a draft law, which considers 65 corrections to the Code. The amendments cancel existing tax benefits (including those for disabled persons) and improve administration mechanisms.

Deputy Finance Minister stated that “50 million Laris is a loss, that the budget will suffer without these amendments”. The government members clearly showed that they want these amendments approved as soon as possible to be allowed to fill the budget more efficiently.

Majority of these amendments repeal amendments to the Tax Code, initiated by the “Industrialists”. The Industrialists kept fighting for liberalization of the Code from the day they came to the Parliament. They achieved the goal nearly one month ago. But the victory was very short. Despite such a background, the Industrialists did not oppose the new amendments during the hearings. They only requested the effect brought by Code liberalization to be analyzed.

The draft law will be discussed next week. If adopted, it will come into force upon publication.

Finance and Budget Committee

The committee had quite untraditional hearings. The committee discussed  budget report of the first 4 months of year 2002.

During approval of the Budget 2002, the Government and the State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze in particular, made an oath to report the Parliament on fulfillment of the budget and suggest ways of increase of the income part after the first four months.

Deputy Finance Minister Vasil Gigolashvili failed to match expectations of the Parliament members regarding fulfillment of the budget. The budget deficit of the first four months is approximately 39 million Laris. The biggest part of the deficit is on foreign grants account. Delays are also in financing of the health care and agriculture programs.

The budget office of the Parliament informs that during January-May period incomes to the budget were only 328.11 million Laris instead of 379.40 planned (86.5 %), which means that the budget was short by 51.29 million Laris. Actual incomes lost (i.e. excluding the grants) are worth of 22.2 million Laris.

The Committee Chairman Zaza Sioridze said: “It is a fact that we have major breach in the budget. Reception of grants depends on fulfillment of the obligations, undertaken by the government. I do not know how the government is going to explain their failure to increase incomes to the budget for these 4 months”.

During the hearings the parliament members refrained from political evaluation of the budget deficit. The evaluation will be made during the discussion of the budget report at the parliamentary session.