Comments by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSO

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.

The Catalan Parliament initiated process of separating the autonomous community from Spain when accepted a corresponding resolution on November, 9.

Despite the sharp reaction for the resolution expressed in Madrid and EU in general, we hope the parties would manage to exercise restraint and use peaceful political tools in order to solve contentious questions through passing an exam on commitment to democratic values that are widely advocated in Europe.

Pertaining to the statement of Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Pertaining to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s intention to investigate the affairs of the August, 2008

Fatou Bensouda, the International Criminal Court Prosecutor, submitted an official request to the ICCt to conduct an investigation of the August affairs, when Georgia unleashed a full-scaled military aggression against South Ossetia.

International community is following events of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.

President Putin’s UN General Assembly speech was expected as he spoke on Russian vision on international situation, problems in Middle East and Ukraine.

I carefully listened to the President. There is no secret that South Ossetia has always been politically oriented to the Russian Federation and thus Russian opinion on definite terms of international agenda influences international policy of the Republic of South Ossetia.

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”.