The CIS, a loose confederation of 12 ex-Soviet republics, has been criticized by some of its members - notably Ukraine and Georgia - as being ineffectual, and a vehicle for promoting Russia's interests. Moldova's leader has also questioned the organization's future, and last year Turkmenistan ceased to be a full member.
Commenting on a draft resolution on Georgia's immediate secession from the CIS, prepared by the parliamentary opposition, Mikheil Machavariani said this decision will "create problems for the country's citizens."
"Many people don't know that if we pull out from the CIS right now then production we import, say, from Ukraine, will become 12% more expensive," he said. "We are responsible people and can't get our citizens into an even more complicated situation."
He said that a political decision on quitting CIS was made, but when it will happen depends on minimization of risks for the population's well-being.
Georgia's government has been drafting relevant bills and holding bilateral consultations with CIS members in case the country implements what it is pondering.
Georgia and Russia have been entangled in a diplomatic feud that erupted with the arrests of Russian officers on spying charges in September. Tensions had already been strained over Russia's ban on the import of Georgian mineral water and wine, and disputes over Georgia's conflict zones.
