Q: Akhsar Muratovich, the Foreign Ministry celebrates its 33rd anniversary. Tell us, please, about the history of the South Ossetian diplomatic institution.
A:On May 28, the South Ossetian Foreign Ministry celebrates the 33rd anniversary, and the establishment of the Ministry is inextricably linked with the formation of our state.
On May 28, 1992, at the session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of South Ossetia, the Ministry of External Relations of South Ossetia was established as a part of the newly formed Government of the Republic, and on May 29, following the results of the referendum conducted on January 19, 1992, the Act of Declaration of the Independence of the Republic of South Ossetia was adopted.
The formation and development of the South Ossetian diplomacy took place in difficult conditions. The young state faced the tasks of repelling military aggression from Georgia and protecting the population. At that time, employees of the Ministry made significant contribution to preservation of peace and tranquility in the region, to protection of the national interests of the young state and the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia.
After the recognition of the state independence of the Republic of South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, a new, important stage of the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetiahas begun, aimed at creating favorable external conditions for the social and economic development of the state, at ensuring national interests of South Ossetia, protecting its sovereignty and citizens living outside the Republic, and strengthening cooperation with foreign partners.
Historical experience shows the importance of forming a flexible and highly professional diplomatic service. Formation of an effective diplomatic service is a long and complex process. The South Ossetian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was getting on its feet, andthe national diplomacy was developing,accumulating experience and strengthening along with the young state. The level of tasks that the Ministry had to solve has been increasing and the bar of requirements has been raising.
Today, the Ministry continues its institutional development. The work is underway to improve the departmental regulatory framework of the civil service and the diplomatic service as its component, including interaction with foreign institutions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia. The structure of the Foreign Ministry, its functions, the main formats and methods of activity must meet the goals and objectives of the foreign policy course of our state.
The leading diplomatic universities of Russia (MGIMO(U) and the Diplomatic Academy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia) provide support to South Ossetia in training personnel and professional development of employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia.
On this day, we cannot but recall the people who worked in the Ministry over the years, those who stood at the origins of the formation of the foreign service of the young independent republic, and in different years determined the face and nature of the activities of the South Ossetian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many of them confidently and firmly defend the interests of the Republic in various fieldseven today.
Taking this opportunity, I am pleased to express my deep respect and gratitude to all the diplomats who stood at the origins of the diplomatic service of the Republic of South Ossetia, and I congratulate my colleagues on their professional holiday.
Q: What are the priorities of the foreign policy today?
A: In conditions when the balance of powers in global politics and the economy is changing dramatically, when international relations are experiencing a systemic crisis and all the rules of international relations are being reshaped, the South Ossetian diplomacy continues to implement consistently its tasks to protect national interests in the international arena, to contribute to further comprehensive development and deepening of friendly relations with our strategic partner - the Russian Federation and its subjects, primarily the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, to strengthenrelations with friendly countries and establishnew diplomatic contacts.
Settling relations with neighboring Georgia,based on the established geopolitical realities, is an important part of the foreign policy coursepursued by the Republic of South Ossetia. In this regard, we consider it essential to participate in the International Discussions on Security in Transcaucasia, in framework of which the work on the document on security guarantees for South Ossetia from Georgia remainsthekey issue.
In close contact with the Russian and the Abkhaz colleagues we carefully follow the internal pollical situation in neighboring Georgia and assess possible risks and threats.
Q: What important events for South Ossetiain terms of foreign policy could you mention over the past year?
A:We all know that one of the most important directions of the foreign policy of the Republic of South Ossetia has been cooperation, further development and strengthening relations with Russia. Russia supports South Ossetia in all areas, promotes reliable security of South Ossetia, assists in its social and economic development within the framework of the Investment Program. On May 26, in the city of Mineralnye Vody, at the 23rd meeting of the South Ossetian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission, issues of implementing the State Program for the Social and Economic Development of the Republic of South Ossetia for 2022-2025 and the State Program for 2026-2030 were discussed.
Undoubtedly, the visit of President Alan Gagloev to Moscow, where he took part in events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putinis an important event. At the background of theincreasing military and political tensions in the world, we consider the invitation to the President of the Republic of South Ossetia Alan Gagloev and his participation in events in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory as a clear political signal of Russia’s comprehensive support for South Ossetia, of unity of approaches and views on the fundamental issues of foreign policy of our countries.
The exchange of instruments of ratification on the settlement of issues of dual citizenship, which took place on April 19, became another example of active cooperation between South Ossetia and Russia. On May 17, the final point was reached on this issue – the Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree “On the admission to citizenship of the Russian Federation of citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia.”
I would like to note that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Treaty on Alliance and Integrationbetween the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation, which serves as a reliable legal basis for the bilateral cooperation.
Close interparliamentary cooperation between South Ossetia and Russia continues. On May 15, a regular meeting of the updated joint Commission on Interparliamentary Cooperation between the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation was held in Tskhinval, where relevant issues of cooperation,in the implementation of which South Ossetia counts on the support of the Russian side,were discussed.
At the same time, it is important for us to further develop friendly, equal and partnership relations with those countries that have recognized us.
On February 27, in Moscow, I met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Republic of South Ossetia, Alba Azucena Torres Mejia. During the meeting, we signed an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua on the mutual elimination of visa formalities for holders of diplomatic, official, service and foreign passports.
Q: For citizens of South Ossetia who do not have Russian citizenship, the issue of new rules for foreigners crossing the border with the Russian Federation remains relevant. Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the problem was being discussed with the Russian side. What are the results of the negotiations?
A: Indeed, on November 7, 2024, the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1510 “On conducting an experiment on testing the rules and conditions for entry into and exit from the Russian Federation of foreign citizens and stateless persons”was adopted.
The essence of this resolution is that all foreign citizens will be required to undergo new procedures at the border that have not been applied before. In particular, this includes taking fingerprints (fingerprinting), photographing, the need for prior notification of entry into the Russian Federation, etc.
Most residents of South Ossetia are Russian citizens, so they can be excluded from the list of those who must undergo fingerprinting and other formalities, since Russian citizens entering from other countries with a national or foreign passport will be able to cross the border freely, and these new rules do not apply to them. Nevertheless, there are some residents of South Ossetia who are not Russian citizens. For this category,when crossing the border with the South Ossetian passport, fingerprinting and photographing will be required, and this will create certain difficulties. This may also affect car owners whose vehicles are registered in South Ossetia.
Therefore, on the instructions of President Alan Gagloev, the issue was worked out by the South Ossetian executive authorities, the Parliament, and the Presidential Administration. The issue was also raised during the recent visit of the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation Sergey Kiriyenko to Tskhinval. A corresponding note has been sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry with an appealto consider the possibility of excluding South Ossetia from the list of countries whose citizens will be subject to the provisions of this Resolution.
We hope that, taking into account the allied relations between South Ossetia and Russia and the level of integration processes that are taking place between our countries, the Russian side will make a decision acceptablefor all parties.
Q: The 64th round of the International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia will be held in June. What are your expectations?
A: The main objective of the International Discussions is to ensure the lasting security of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The absence of open confrontation between Georgia and South Ossetia over the past 17 yearscan be considered,to a certain extent,the main achievement of the 63 rounds of the International Discussions. For the time being, this format is the only international platform for direct dialogue with Georgia, where the Republic of South Ossetia has the opportunity to defend its positions. Over the years of its existence, the format has become a reliable channel for sustained multilateral communication on security and stability issues in Transcaucasia.
For 17 years now, South Ossetia and Abkhazia have been trying to make progress in discussions on the issue of achieving guarantees of their security and the non-use of force by Georgia. The existence of such a document is of fundamental importance for ensuring stability and security in Transcaucasia. However, as time shows, the Georgian authorities are not ready for this yet. The Georgian side continues to block any initiatives to strengthen security, using the dialogue format and other international platforms for political propaganda, rather than for discussing and solving existing problems.
Despite this, we do not lose hope that sooner or later Georgia will recognize the existing realities and move from slogans to constructive dialogue, which is necessary to establish normal relations. Nevertheless, we always say that we consider dialogue in this format to be necessary and useful, and we are committed to its maintenance.
Q: A parliamentary commission has been formed in Georgia to investigate crimes committed by the United National Movement party, including the events of 2004 and 2008. How objective will the commission’s investigation be?
A: Even during the election campaign before the 2024 parliamentary elections, the Georgian Dream party announced that after winning the elections it would launch a legal process to declare the United National Movement party unconstitutional for numerous crimes during the party’s tenure in power.
Indeed, on February 5, 2025, an interim parliamentary commission was established to investigate crimes committed by the former ruling United National Movement party, whose activities we are closely monitoring.
It will be possible to judge of the correctness of the conclusions of this commission following the results of its work. For South Ossetia, the tragedy of August 2008, which caused the deaths of hundreds of civilians, Russian and Ossetian peacekeepers, and brought suffering to thousands of its citizens, remains an unhealed wound. Undoubtedly, the criminals responsible for unleashing military aggression, who gave orders to invade South Ossetia, attack peacekeepers, and commitedacts of genocide against the Ossetian people, must be punished.
Q: On May 29, we celebrate the adoption of the Act of Independence – this is actually the Independence Day of the Republic of South Ossetia. What is your assessment of this document and the events preceding the political decision?
A:One can say confidently that this was one of the most important steps towards the legal registration and formation of the statehood of South Ossetia.
The adoption of this political document was dictated by the military and political situation that developed in the early 90s, as the only means of protecting and guaranteeing the observance of the rights and freedoms of the people of South Ossetia, and their preservation as an ethnic group. The Act of Independence was aimed at saving the population fromacomplete genocide by Georgia.
I believe that it was very important that whileadopting this fundamental and other crucial documents the deputies of the first convocation scrupulously observed all the numerous legal nuances, which ensured an impeccable and unshakeable legal framework for proclamation ofthe independence of the Republic of South Ossetia and allowed the Russian Federation and a number of other countries to recognize the state independence of South Ossetia.
Q: The moment of Alan Gagloev’s communication with Alexander Lukashenko was captured bymedia. Are there any developments in cooperation with the CIS countries?
A: One of the priorities for South Ossetia is to establish contacts with the Union State of Russia and Belarus. The Republic of South Ossetia is taking certain steps to establish new and strengthen the existing ties. These are, first of all, contacts in the economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
We are aimed to intensify furtherthe contacts with Belarusian colleagues, including the development of cooperation with the structures of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. I amconfident that the situation will gradually change and will allow us to bring our relations to a new level. We will strive for this.