Statements on Russia-South Ossetia relations made by Vladimir Zhirinovsky at a press-conference organized in the press center of TASS on September 14 were not left without attention in South Ossetia. In particular he declared that “the position of the LDPR is not to help anybody, any republics, anywhere … Let them develop themselves, not by means of Russia, or let them become a part of Russia or let them return to some other region”.
September 8, 2016 saw members of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress adopting by an absolute majority the Resolution (H. Res. 660) which contained not only the mythical and abstract theses about “the territorial integrity” and “occupation of Georgian regions” by Russia but also an appeal to give Georgia “opportunities for defense”.
September 10, 2009 saw the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela recognizing the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia that became an important political event in political life of our young Republic. Venezuela is the third country that followed the example of Russia and Nicaragua and made such a responsible and significant for us decision despite the difficulties the country was facing at that time. People of South Ossetia will always be thankful to the Venezuelan party for that.
Diplomatic ties are established between our countries, state visit to Venezuela was organized.
The resolution “Conflict in Georgia”, prepared by Georgia delegation, has been approved at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly that took place on July 5 in Tbilisi.
We’ve paid attention to statements made by the US State Department’s Spokesperson about the referendum on joining the Russian Federation that is going to be held in the Republic of South Ossetia.
Terroristic attacks becoming usual around the world show that no one is protected against international terrorism. Terrorism has no borders and threatens the whole world. There is no secret that special agencies themselves can be involved in organizing terrorist acts. 22 terroristic acts were organized by Georgian special agencies on territory of the Republic of South Ossetia from 2005 till 2008. They resulted in 16 victims and 34 injured who received wounds of varying severity and even became invalids.
On terrorist attacks in Belgium
Kazbulat Tskhovrebov, South Ossetia Foreign Minister, stated about absolute condemnation of terrorist attacks that hit Belgian capital and resulted in large number of victims and injured. “We offer our deepest condolences to the government and families of the victims. People of South Ossetia experienced firsthand terrorist acts and therefore call the international community to be united against this evil”.
March 22, 2016, Tskhinval
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.
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.
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.
The 2nd meeting of the EU-Georgia Association Council took place on November, 16. Once again members of the European Union “confirmed their solid support for territorial integrity of Georgia” and expressed concern of the Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed between the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation.
