In 2012 Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued its activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia, legislation and regulatory framework of the Republic. The main directions of the Ministry’s activities were as earlier determined by the development strategy of the Republic, defined by the President of the Republic of South Ossetia.
In 2012 Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued strengthening positive image of the Republic, promoted objective perception of the Republic as a sovereign democratic country with all the attributes of a modern state and demonstrated openness and readiness for cooperation with all the countries.
This year for the Ministry was a special year. 2012 was a 20th year since establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after what was organized a reception.
Priority was given to further development and deepening of friendly relations with Russian Federation, our strategic partner. During 2012 were signed 6 agreements between the RSO and RF.
1. Agreement between Government of the Republic of South Ossetia and Government of Russian Federation on direct selling establishments (1 December 2009).
2. Agreement between Government of the Republic of South Ossetia and Government of Russian Federation on trade regulations (2 March 2012).
3. Agreement between State Customs Committee of the Republic of South Ossetia and Federal Customs Service (Russian Federation) on locations, number of functionaries, conditions of deployment and regions of activities of specialized custom authorities (16 April 2012).
4. Protocol between State Customs Committee of the Republic of South Ossetia and Federal Customs Service (Russian Federation) on confirmation of customs operations and custom controls of goods and transport (16 April 2012).
5. Customs Committee of the Republic of South Ossetia and Federal Customs Service (Russian Federation) on interaction between specialized customs authority of Russian Federation and State Customs Committee of Republic of South Ossetia in terms of law-enforcement activities (13 September 2012).
6. Agreement between Government of the Republic of South Ossetia and Government of Russian Federation on international highway service (24 October 2012).
There are more than 20 agreement in the pipeline, including the Agreement on double citizenship, Agreement between Russian Federation and Republic of South Ossetia on Russian-South Ossetian state border.
The importance of development of relations with Russia is also proved by meetings between the leaderships of the two countries.
On 12 May a meeting between the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov took place in Sochi. It should be noted that this visit to Russia was the first trip abroad for the RSO President after inauguration. As well as the official visit of President L. Tibilov to Moscow on 23 October 2012. In the context of strengthening ties between RSO and RF should be also noted the working visit of the Chairman of the Government of Russia D. Medvedev that took place on 8 August 2012 during the forth year commemoration of the aggression.
A lot has been done in terms of strengthening of relations between RSO and RF Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
For the last four years Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation gives an opportunity for citizens of RSO to study at specialized higher education institutions. This year we carried out a testing as a result of which 5 people were recommended for studying at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the MFA of RF.
On 25 June 2012 a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia D. Sanakoev and State Secretary, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation G. Karasin took place on 25 June 2012.
An official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia D. Sanakoev to Moscow took place on 9 October 2012 on invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation S. Lavrov.
Representatives of the MFA of RSO take active participation in development of economic ties between our countries.
On 21 June 2012 in the frame of the XVI International Economic Forum a delegation from the Republic of South Ossetia, including Minister of Foreign Affairs D. Sanakoev, acting Minister of Economic Development A. Khabalova and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of South Ossetia in Russian Federation D. Medoev.
In the work of the organizational committee, established for participation in ХХI international Investment Forum on 21 September, participated Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A. Kochiev. At the Forum RSO presented investment projects based on the use of high technologies.
Embassy of RSO in RF facilitated attraction of investments into the economy of South Ossetia, namely, in the end of September the Republic was visited by a delegation of Chinese and Korean businessmen, with whom was signed a Memorandum of Understanding on trade, economic, science, technology and industrial cooperation between the Government of South Ossetia and HYEOB JEON ELECTRIC CO., LTD Republic of Korea.
Next priority for the Minister of Foreign Affairs is development and strengthening of relations with Republic of Abkhazia, Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
On 6 July Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia D. Sanakoev was on working visit to Abkhazia during which he had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs V. Chirikba.
Also in 2012 was signed an Agreement between the Ministries of Defense of RSO and RA.
From 31 August to 3 September an official delegation of the Republic of South Ossetia, headed by the Chairman of the RSO Parliament S. Kochiev, visited the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic for celebrations of their 22nd anniversary since declaration of independence.
The delegation included First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Tskhovrebov K. I. and Head of the Department of MFA RSO S. Tadtaev.
On 17 July delegation of RSO, headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of RSO A. Kochiev, was sent to observe elections in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
Countermeasure to informational policy of Georgia and its patrons, misapprehending the reality, are still topical. Therefore, during the reporting period the Informational and Analytical Department of the Ministry was making statements, comments, appeals to the international community, reflecting position and opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RSO. During 2012 on the MFA website were posted more than 50 announcements.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is participating in organization and carrying out of visits of international delegations to the Republic of South Ossetia. The Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is covering protocol activities of official arrangements, visits on high and highest level among which stand out:
15 – 17 August 2012 – visit of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador the Republic of Venezuela Mr. Hugo José Garcia Hernandez.
19 – 20 September – visit of the President of Nauru Mr. Sprent Dabwido.
19 – 20 September – visit of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador the Republic of Somali in Russian Federation, President of the Club of Ambassadors – graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities Mohhamed Mahmud Handule.
19 – 20 September – visit of the First Secretary of the Embassy of Nicaragua in Russian Federation Juan Ernesto Vasquez Araya.
An important step in engaging Ossetian communities living abroad, was the organized round table ‘Iron Nykhas’ n 8 August 2012. in Tskhinval, initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RSO. At the round table participated representatives of Ossetian communities of Belgium, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Syria, Turkey, France, Holland, representatives of civil society of South Ossetia, Ossetian scientists
Ministry of Foreign Affairs interacts with non-governmental organizations that are working in the country, namely, the ICRC. The MFA is in close contact with ICRC help and facilitate implementation of humanitarian programs.
The Ministry and our agencies abroad are doing legalization of documents, issued in the Republic of South Ossetia. More than 250 applications for South Ossetian citizenship were viewed, about 150 documents for return were issued, over 200 documents were legalized. Due to the need for improvement of consular service for citizens of South Ossetia on the territory of Russian Federation, a Consulate of the Republic of South Ossetia was establishes in Vladikavkaz by Presidential Decree. Currently the MFA is dealing with organizational details related to full scale operation of the Consulate.
Relations with Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru are now on a different level. There are joint projects although those countries are geographically distant from the RSO. Negations are carried out to find economic contacts, however there are fields like culture, sport, art that also should be developed.
On 2 August 2012 a meeting between the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs K. Tskhovrebov and Minster of Foreign Affairs of Nauru . Kieren Keke took place in Moscow.
On 5 December 2012 at Moscow House of Nationalities was presented a documentary ‘The First Embassy’, directed by a well-know director-documentalist Vadim Tsalikov with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of South Ossetia in Russian Federation. Diplomats from Venezuela, Nicaragua and Russia came for the film presentation.
Further to the staff changes during the reporting period at the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tibilov Daniel Izrailovich was appointed as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the end of December by the Presidential Decree.
Of course among the main tasks of the Ministry is recognition of independence of RNO by other states, considering current political situation in the world, it is not an easy task. The Ministry is searching for contacts and develops the existing ties, organizes meetings on different levels, works with many countries on different continents for the Republic of South Ossetia to become and equal member of the International Community, member of UN and other International organizations.
Tskhinval, 29 December 2012