CIS Interparliamentary Assembly celebrates 27th anniversary

The Agreement on the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States was signed 27 years ago in Alma-Aty, the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan of that time.

The issues of developing model legislation, monitoring of the elections and referendums, holding of congresses and conferences are at the core of the Assembly’s activity. The IPA CIS is an effective platform for dialogue and interaction of members of parliament of the Commonwealth, exchange of experience, cooperation in different areas. Cooperation with international parliamentary organizations allows for the adoption of best global law-making practices, building mutually beneficial ties and promotion of the CIS interests at international stage.

Since 2012 the CIS has introduced the practice of informing the Commonwealth supreme body – the Council of the CIS Heads of State – on the activity of the Interparliamentary Assembly, Chairperson of the IPA CIS Council Valentina Matvienko participates in the meetings of the Council of the CIS Heads of State on a regular basis.

For 27 years, the IPA CIS has adopted over 500 model laws and other documents. Monitoring shows that the parliaments of the Commonwealth member nations are actively using model documents in their work, which promotes approximation of laws in the CIS. Practical relevance of the adopted model laws is acknowledged by all CIS parliaments.

Since 2006 the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD) has been operating as part of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat. It provides expert and analytical assistance for the IPA CIS observer teams at the elections and referendums.