News

The Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved the request submitted by the Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to conduct an investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity “committed in and around South Ossetia” that would cover period from July 1 to October 10, 2008 on January 27.

We in the Republic of South Ossetia are satisfied with this decision and express readiness to promote impartial and professional investigation, despite the fact that South Ossetian territory doesn’t fall within the scope of the Rome Statute.

Pertaining to the possibility of applying a “bundle principal” while signing additional agreements to the Treaty on Alliance and Integration concluded between the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation.

There is an international practice when several bilateral agreements are signed at a time, however it is not common. Often they coincide that to a visit of heads of states or some important international forum. In this case one can speak about signing a set of agreements. Such a practice is not obligatory.

- Honorable Minister, the 7th Anniversary of the notorious August affairs in South Ossetia, when you were attacked by Georgian army, has been commemorated this year. How do you see these affairs from current perspective?

The European Commission released a report on Georgia’s implementation of the action plan on visa liberalization (VLAP) on December 18, 2015.

Even before the corresponding political decision on liberalization of the European visa regime for Georgia was made by the EU they started talks in Georgia about the possibility of facilitating the process of issuing biometric passports of Georgian citizenship to citizens of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia for the purpose of unobstructed visiting the Schengen zone.

Kazbulat Tskhovrebov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia, hosted a meeting with Valeriy Kalyakin, the President of the International Union “Descendants of the Victory” on December, 21.

According to Mr. Kalyakin one of the focal points of the Union’s activity is “preservation of historical memory, especially about the feat and bravery of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War. The President of the Union noted that the Ossetians not just participated in battles but left one of the most notable marks in history of the War.

Pertaining to the results of the 34th round of the Geneva International Discussions

Regular round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on December, 8-9, 2015. Official mission from South Ossetia, headed by Murat Dzhioev, the Plenipotentiary of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia on post-conflict settlement, missions from Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the USA as well as representatives of the EU, the UN and OSCE took part in negotiations.

Pertaining to Venezuela parliamentary elections results

National Assembly elections were held in Venezuela on December, 6.

The elections passed in accordance with the acting legislation and constitutional norms. Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela, recognized the results of the elections. According to early results the oppositional block won the majority of seats in the National Assembly.

- Kazbulat Inalovich, what can you say about the diplomatic achievements made this year?

- Looking back on the year, one can say that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached the full range of the objectives that were set. The primary goal for the Ministry is to pursue the foreign policy course determined by the President of the Republic.

- How was the year 2015 for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? What in your opinion is the best remembered activity conducted by the Ministry the expiring year?

Pertaining to the territorial claims of Tbilisi

Recent statement of Paata Zakareishvili, who was reasoning about ways of implementation of Georgian statehood in foreign territories, is a good confirmation of the fact that they keep on fantasizing about their territorial claims in Tbilisi.

It appears that one should use applied psychology to comment such statements as it is evident that being frustrated because of the impossibility of getting the desired, Georgian authorities are forced to use psychologically manipulative techniques.

Znaur Gassiev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Ossetia in the Russian Federation, delivered credentials to Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, on November 26, 2015.

The official ceremony took place in the Alexander Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace.

November 26, 2015, Tskhinval

Kazbulat Tskhovrebov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia, met with Andrey Starkov, Head of Abkhazia and South Ossetia division of the Fourth CIS Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, on November, 24.

Aleksej Sanakoev, Head of Department of International Cooperation, Elbrus Kargiev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in RSO, and Vitalii Soshnin, Minister-Counsellor of Russian Embassy in Tskhinval, participated in the meeting.