South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has presented the state awards to the participants of the II Congress of the Association of Universities of the self-proclaimed states, which has started today in the Research institute in Tskhinval.
Leonid Tibilov greeted the organizers and participants of the meeting, thanking them for their hard work in building relationships and support in the development of the university cooperation.
"Conducting the congress in Tskhinval is a great event for the inhabitants of the Republic. I consider it a great honor to welcome here in the hospitable land of South Ossetia the heads of the leading universities of the fraternal republics of Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistria. Inter-state and inter-governmental relations between our republics have a short but very rich history, "- he stressed.
According to the president, the need for establishing the Association of Universities of the self-proclaimed states has been dictated by the prevailing conditions.
"This is not only the manifestation of development of relations of friendship and cooperation between our countries. This is another strong evidence of community of historical fortunes, took the road of struggle for the realization of their indefeasible right to self-determination ", - said the president.
Leonid Tibilov has expressed the hope that in the near future on the world map will appear two new states - Artsakh and Transnistria.
The President also expressed his gratitude to the representatives of Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabakh for the help and support provided to South Ossetia in the difficult times.
"I mean not only the diplomatic support in the provision of military and humanitarian aid, but also in caring for the needy," - said Tibilov.
The head of state said that the South Ossetian leadership was doing everything possible to restore the destroyed Republic.
"The devastating consequences of the military aggression were so serious that it took a lot of time of the hard work for their elimination. The activities of the leadership are aimed at restoration of the Republic, creation all the necessary conditions for its further development, "- underlined the president.
He has also noted that due to the agreement of presidents of South Ossetia and Russia the South Ossetian State University has the opportunity to become a sister university to any university in Russia.
The president has added that in the future the Research Institute of South Ossetia will be reorganized into the Academy of Science of South Ossetia.
In conclusion Leonid Tibilov has assured the audience that the next congress of the Association will be held in the new building of the South Ossetian State University.
Then started the awarding ceremony of the visitors of the Republic.
For a great contribution to the establishment of peace and stability in the post-Soviet space, active and productive activities to enhance scientific, educational and cultural ties between the peoples, the honorary title "The Honored Science Worker of South Ossetia" was conferred to the rector of the Abkhazian State University Aleko Gvaramiya, the rector of the Transdniestrian State University Stepan Beryl and to the rector of the Artsakh State University Stephan Dadayan.
Other delegates were given the medals "In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Republic of South Ossetia".
Rector of the Transnistrian University Stepan Beryl delivered a message of greetings from the PMR President Yevgeny Shevchuk.
"It is important that today the Association is actively involved in the development of such a significant idea of Eurasian integration. It is important to emphasize that the Association from year to year has been progressively struggling for full international recognition of Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria and South Ossetia ", - is said in the message.
In turn, the rector of the Abkhazian State University, Aleko Gvaramiya voiced the words of support by the Abkhazian President Alexander Ankvab.
The rector of the Artsakh State University Stepan Dadayan has also made a speech.
"We are very pleased that the struggle of the Ossetian people was crowned with success and the Republic was recognized by the international status. We wish the Ossetian people prosperity and wellbeing.
He also read out the greeting from the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
"We have a similar philosophy of nation-building, shared vision of many global and regional issues, that is the solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation and establishment of scientific and cultural dialogue, "- is said in the message.
Then within the framework of the Congress was held the scientific conference "Scythians - Alans."
On Friday (May 17) in Tskhinval will continue its work the II Congress of the Association of the Universities of the self-proclaimed states.
