In accordance with a decision of the CIS Foreign Ministers’ Council on Georgia’s membership of the Commonwealth of Independent States of December 9, 2008 Georgia as of August 18 will be not a member of the CIS, the CIS Executive said in a news release.

On August 18, 2008 the Georgian Foreign Ministry notified the CIS Executive of the country’s walkout of the Commonwealth.

“Under Article 9 of the CIS Charter any state is free to do so. It is expected to declare such a decision twelve months in advance. The liabilities resulting from the CIS membership remain effective until full compliance with them,” the press-service said.

As follows from the news release, Georgia declared its intention to remain a party to a number of treaties is signed as a CIS member.

The group of CIS experts has gathered more than once to consider Georgia’s participation in international treaties and decisions by the CIS bodies to have arrived at the conclusion there are no legal obstacles to this.

“After its walkout of the CIS Georgia will be able to continue to participate in about 70 treaties,” the press-service said.

As for the treaties and decisions effective only for CIS members, they shall not apply to Georgia as of August 18, 2009. The list of such documents consists of over 400 titles.