Konstantin Kosachev, the Head of the RF State Duma Committee for International Affairs, visited South Ossetia. In Tskhinval, Konstantin Kosachev met with the Speaker of South Ossetian Parliament Stanislav Kochiev, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Political Party "Yedinstvo" Zurab Kokoev, Deputy Prime-Minister of South Ossetian Government Domenty Kulumbegov and other officials. While opening the meeting, Stanislav Kochiev expressed the gratitude for the attention paid to SOuth Ossetia and its problems. In his trun Kosachev noted that the visit to South Ossetia is the most important part of his professional and political work "as a State Duma MP and the Chairman of the Duma Committee for International Affairs, as well as the head of the delegation to PACE".
"South Ossetia is the name of a foreign state that I pronounce most frequently in my work, and with time passing, I believe that Russia's decision to recognize South Ossetia's independence was the only possible and correct one, and it works", stated Kosachev. It was not simply a fact that had place and is left behind, it works every day and every hour. It works for the interests of South Ossetia and Russia, for our common interests."
"It is hard to divide between the interests of South Ossetia and Russia. Every time I come here, I leave with a stronger understanding of the current state of affairs, the history which you one can hardly escape," emphasized Kosachev. I do not know how your relations with other states would evolve, but your relations with Russia are not dependent on any political preferences. Our relations are not developing because we care about third states' opinions, these relations are build on the choice made by the people living here and in Russia, this choice is thoroughly thought through and is based on long-term perspective". During the meeting, Konstantin Kosachev had touched upon the issue of social and economic problems of South Ossetia.
"We are aware that not everything goes smoothly, and we know that there are lots of social and economic problems", he said. Something is manageable. For instance, the Russian gas is supplied to the Republic already for several months. Some other problems related to rehabilitation of housing are being settled. This process might go quicker because of my visit here. I came here to wok with the Parliament, political parties and with the colleagues who are determined to cooperate and have a constructive approach to their work. It happened before and it will continue."
"In hard times and in critical moments, consolidation of political forces is extremely important", concluded Kosachev. Stanislav Kochiev in his turn underlined that there was full understanding in work between all fractions, especially with the leading party "Yedinstvo": "We know that Russia has taken an extraordinary step. We should demonstrate our consistency. Based on this, all our fractions are on the same wave". The Chair of the political party "Yedinstvo" Zurab Kokoev once again mentioned the fruitful cooperation between "Yedinstvo" and "Yedinaya Rossia" of the RF within the frames of the signed agreement. "We had fruitful work. Each of your visits brings something new in our joint work. These are the rehabilitation in our republic and the changes for better in the population's life", said Kokoev. I am sure that today's visit will also have a positive outcome. Today we see what the Russian Federation is doing for South Ossetia. The huge work you do at the international level, including PACE, is appreciated by the people of South Ossetia. Your visit today once again speaks for the fact that the Russian Federation is implementing all its obligations before undertaken in relation to South Ossetia. On our side, we do our best and I thinks that the year 2010 is a decisive moment."
In the conclusion of the meeting, Konstantin Kosachev passed congratulations from the Supreme Council of "Yedianya Rossia", the Speaker of State Duma Boris Gryzlov to the Chairman of the South Ossetian party "Yedinstvo" on his 50th birthday.
The two-day trip foresees a meeting between Konstantin Kosachev and the RSO President Eudard Kokoity and members of the parliament.
