Over the past two months, more than 70 residents of Leningor district of South Ossetia appealed to the authorities of the Republic with requests for the South Ossetian citizenship, said the journalists South Ossetian Presidential Envoy for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev.
According to him, the frequent requests on getting the Ossetian nationality are more related to the fact that pensions in South Ossetia are much better than in Georgia.
"If a minimum pension in South Ossetia is about 5,700 rubles, in Georgia, even at a premium, it is about four thousand. Therefore, many residents of the area who have Georgian citizenship, renounce it in order to obtain South Ossetian citizenship, as well as the appropriate social services ", - said Dzhioev.
According to him, for the last month about 30 residents of Leningor district applied to social services of South Ossetia.
"In order to obtain South Ossetian citizenship, they have to decide - whether to renounce the Georgian citizenship, otherwise, they will live in the district as the citizens of a foreign state", - he explained.
"The citizens of South Ossetia are recognized those born in its territory or being permanent residents for five years until May 29, 1992. No one has ever been forced out of here. If someone wants to keep the Georgian citizenship, they can reside in South Ossetia, having the respective rights and obligations as foreign citizens in our territory,"- said Dzhioev.
In regard to the procedure of obtaining the citizenship of South Ossetia, the envoy has explained that citizens should apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Ossetia and renounce the Georgian passport.
"Given that to date we have not any relationship with Georgia, the Foreign Ministry takes this into account and informs the relevant services of the Interior Ministry. If in the future we develop normal civilized relations with Georgia, it will be possible to negotiate a procedure of the border crossing, as well as and the residing of the Georgian citizens in South Ossetia", - said Dzhioev .
