Georgia's breakaway region of Southern Ossetia is expected to call on Russian government and parliament, the countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the UN Security Council to recognise its independence in the wake of Kosovo's declaration of independence.

The leader of the republic, Eduard Kokoity, told ITAR-TASS that a letter to that end would be dispatched by the end of February.

“We are currently preparing all necessary documentation,” Kokoity said, adding that the position of Southern Ossetia was co-ordinated with Abkhazia, another region of Georgia seeking independence, and Transdniestria, which wants independence from Moldova. “Our countries will act in concert on their road toward recognition,” he said.

Kokoity noted that the move was inspired by Kosovo's definitive action to unilaterally declare independence. It set a “serious precedent,” which will push Southern Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transdnestria toward “more resolute actions,” the official said.

The leader recalled that the Kosovo's declaration of independence comes 17 years after Southern Ossetia ventured for an analogous move. “Southern Ossetia has much more political legal grounds to gain recognition than Pristina,” he said.

Meanwhile, Georgia announced it would not recognise Kosovo, Georgian MPs and government officials said, as quoted by ITAR-TASS. Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, however, was of the reverse opinion saying the Kosovo independence was a fact and it should be given due recognition.

Russian daily Gazeta quoted Sergei Bagapsh, the leader of Abkhazia, as saying that Abkhazia and Trandniestria would mirror Southern Ossetia's call for international recognition already on Monday. The written appeal would be addressed to the western international community, Russia and the CIS.