Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili announced on August 12 that Tbilisi planned to pull out of the Russian-dominated Commonwealth of Independent States amid a conflict with Moscow over breakaway South Ossetia. The Georgian parliament approved the decision two days later.

"All we can do now is pass Georgia’s note to the other member states of the Commonwealth. We will do this today," a spokesperson for the executive committee said.

According to the press service, the request could be considered at the next meeting of CIS foreign ministers. Once the request is received it takes up to 12 months for Georgia to officially leave the alliance.

"During the next 12 months, Georgia should complete all its commitments under documents signed by the country for the entire period [of CIS membership]. The country can opt to maintain participation under separate agreements, which will require the consent of the remaining states," the spokesperson said, adding that Georgia is signatory to over 700 CIS documents.

If Georgia quits, nine full members will be left in the CIS - Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.