Comments by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSO

The Treaty on Alliance and Integration was signed by Presidents Tibilov and Putin on March 18, 2015.

According to Article 14 of the Treaty the entry into force took place on the date of exchange of ratifications on July 30, 2015.

The Treaty provides for concluding additional agreements aimed at developing contractual legal framework of interstate relations and cooperation in various spheres. Such agreements are being developed by relevant ministries and agencies of the two states in strict correspondence with ascertained international cooperation rules.

Under the Foreign Minister Order an Expert Council affiliated with the Ministry was found. Scientists, political experts, analytical experts, social activists can participate in work of the Council. There will be permanent members (citizens of the Republic) and external experts (including citizens of other states), who would be invited depending on subject of a certain meeting.

July, 17 saw a special statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia condemning military exercises, staged by the 58th Army of the Russian Federation in Southern Military District and South Ossetia, and naming them “acts of provocation”.

Paata Zakareishvili, Georgia State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, declared on December, 8 that Georgian authorities were ready to conduct any form of dialogue, including negotiations with South Ossetia authorities. In his report on the work conducted by the ministry Mr.Zakareishvili stated that it had concentrated on “approaching Abkhazian and Ossetian public” that allowed binding relationship between the people and promoted confidence-building.

The government of Hungary denied South Ossetian athletes visas so that the delegation of our Republic couldn't participate in the ConIFA European Football Cup that would take place in Hungary. Definitely this decision was met with indignation in the Republic.

May, 5 saw a meeting of German and Georgian Foreign Ministers, when Frank-Walter Steinmaier spoke once again in support of “territorial integrity of Georgia” and declared non-recognition of the Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed between South Ossetia and the Russian Federation. The fact that Germany is supporting Georgia isn't new. The preconceived opinion on the treaty that isn't directed against third countries and according to the contents is aimed to solve a range of social and economic problems as well as security issues causes bewilderment.

As Giorgi Margvelashvili stated in his annual report to the Parliament made on March, 31, the main objectives for Georgia are unity and integrity of the state. For this reason “Abkhazia and South Ossetia should obligatory be deokkupated”. Alongside with this Georgian leader considered valuable to show care of “the Abkhazian and the Ossetian identity preservation, political and cultural rights of the people exercising that can be guaranteed by the European Georgia”.

Declarations of mad love to the Ossetian and Abkhazian people are made by Georgia recently. Georgian mass media bristles with quotations of Georgian leaders who are vying with each other in offers of brotherhood, autonomy as a part of Georgia or European perspective.

Irakliy Alasania, the Minister of Defence of Georgia, declared on October, 14 that Georgia would begin the process of South Ossetia and Abkhazia "deokkupation" by means of the international community pressure. What is more, the normative acts approved by parliaments of the two states have no international legal value for Georgia.

Aberrated approach of Georgian politicians makes them misinterpret the reality. Facts of the existence of the Republic of South Ossetia as well as the decision-making by the Republic’s authorities do not depend on their value for Georgian officials.

The Treaty on Alliance and Integration between the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation was signed on March, 18. Signing of the document drew a wide response. Refusing to recognize the existing reality, Georgia and some western countries claimed the signed Treaty to be a violation of international law. Though, over 80 bilateral agreements, including the framework Treaty on Friendship, Collaboration and Mutual Assistance dated September, 17, 2008 were signed between our countries since August, 2008, not any of them have drawn so much attention from the third countries.

Unexpected announcement was made by Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia. “Provided, Russia promotes and encourages a direct dialogue between us and the Ossetians, us and the Abkhazians we are ready to set these questions connected with statehoods aside and even do not discuss them for some time".