President of South Ossetia has recently told reporters about the work on a new treaty on cooperation and partnership with the Russian Federation. What, in your opinion, are the main areas to be considered while drafting this document?
Dmitry Tasoev, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of South Ossetia:
I am deeply convinced that the signing of this treaty is obligatory in any case.
I think, special attention should be paid to removing the customs that divides South and North Ossetia, to the state border of South Ossetia with Georgia.
In addition, this treaty is subject to public debate on a mandatory basis. I wish if in the discussion of the draft treaty were involved civil society organizations, parliamentarians, representatives of the intelligentsia of the Republic.
Murat Vaneev, head of the Department of domestic policy of the Presidential Administration of South Ossetia:
It should be noted that the relations between our two countries are reaching a higher level of quality. One of the main reasons of this process is a promising and successful policy, being implemented in our country. Relations between our countries are based on mutual trust. And in recent years we have reaffirmed our reliability in relations with Russia. This factor makes our relationship more effective. This is success in our foreign policy and progress in domestic policy, ie we confirmed the status of a reliable partner of the Russian Federation. Therefore, this contract will be for us more acceptable in view of the realities that prevail in our country. I`d like to note, that one of the positive points of the treaty for us is the issue of removing the checkpoint in Lower Zaramag. Well, in general, the agreement will help to improve relations with Russia. This is the result of hard work. When people see that the plans and activities of the authorities are clear and transparent, and they are brought to life, then is formed public confidence in the government. The signing of this agreement means that we are consistently and confidently moving forward.
Gennady Kokoev, an expert:
I guess that the treaty to be signed between Russia and South Ossetia will be similar to the agreement signed between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia. I do not think, there will be some significant changes. This agreement is a continuation of the policy of the Russian Federation to recognize the independence of South Ossetia. Maybe, there will be stipulated closer forms of cooperation in the defense sector, in economic terms. Economic integration, in principle, is logical and reasonable, as due to economic and other reasons and factors for our businesses and goods that, I hope, we will soon start to produce, is open the Russian market.
I hope, we will remove the goods to the North Caucasus and other regions of Russia.
Therefore, the further strengthening of ties with Russia and integration processes will only grow and mature. I think, there will happen nothing new and unexpected for us with the signing of this agreement. In my opinion, it would be right the draft treaty to be submitted for discussion of the public and the parliament Republic, that no one should be in doubt about the transparency and integrity of the government at the signing of such important for South Ossetia documents. Thus, this agreement will emphasize the right of South Ossetia to sovereignty as a subject of international law, as a state, which on a par sign agreements, including with a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Alan Dzhussoev, leader of the public movement "Your Choice - Ossetia!"
I'd like the treaty should clearly stipulated the following items - a simplified procedure for crossing the border in the Lower Zaramag, simplified customs clearance of imported and exported goods.
In addition, persons who, on the territory of South Ossetia have committed any illegal acts may go the Russian Federation and all of them are free. Our criminal and administrative law does not apply to them. So, in the sphere of relations of power structures, law enforcement bodies, I would like to have a single legal framework with the Russian Federation. I wish our army could be preserved, so that under this treaty the Russian Federation could provide maximum assistance in the development of our armed forces and bringing them up to a higher level. Let us have at least a small, but our own army.
Today, we have not yet any draft treaty. Considering the fact that there is a constant "underground" political struggle in our society, it is important that the discussion of this Treaty should not be used as political leverage of various political forces, which are now represented in the Parliament and in the government of the Republic. This agreement should become a single working document, which will be discussed and considered by officials, members of the public, experts of South Ossetia exclusively in working order, without earning political dividends. Otherwise, the treaty loses its meaning. Any contract stipulates obligations of the parties, as well as a set of measures, that the parties undertake to carry out within their relationships. I would like to see in the new treaty the mechanisms of integrated implementation of these measures. The treaty of friendship and cooperation signed between South Ossetia and the Russian Federation in 2008 is also very good, all the34 points of the contract are good, but, in my opinion, the population of South Ossetia did not feel their implementation. It is, therefore, desirable that the new treaty provisions should also include the mechanisms of mutual relations between the parties.
