Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia

On the meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia D.G. Sanakoyev with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov

On October 9, 2012 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia D.G. Sanakoyev had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as a part of his first official visit to the Russian Federation.

Participants discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral relations, regional and international problems. The parties underlined the importance of further expansion of cooperation in major areas of foreign policy, economic and cultural cooperation. The importance of the Geneva discussions on security problems in the South Caucasus was noted. They also discussed issues of further development of the bilateral relations legal basis including consular issues.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated the irreversibility of the decision of the Russian Federation on the recognition of the state independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and also assured of consistent course of the Russian leadership to the continued support of South Ossetia and its people in all areas of mutual cooperation.

During the meeting it was noted that the current level of political dialogue between Moscow and Tskhinval is highly appreciated in South Ossetia. Meetings and contacts at the highest levels get regular, the links between the parliaments, various ministries and agencies of our states are growing. The Russian side assured that it will continue to support the Republic of South Ossetia in the international arena.

At the end of the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia invited Sergei Lavrov to visit South Ossetia at any convenient time.

After the meeting, the ministers answered questions of the media representatives.

Tskhinval, October 9, 2012

26.10.2012