South and North Ossetia should strive for unification within the Russian Federation, said President Anatoly Bibilov, speaking at the 10th congress of the Ossetian people in Tskhinval.
Every Ossetian, Bibilov emphasized, in any part of the world, should remember his history and understand the need to overcome the division of Ossetia.
The head of state also told why the congress was timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the recognition of South Ossetia's independence by the Russian Federation.
"We wanted to gather all the Ossetians of the world so that to share our holiday with them - the 10th anniversary of the recognition of our independence. We have been waiting for this event for decades. Thanks to the help of the Russian Federation, we live in peace. The news of the recognition of our sovereignty has become one of the most significant events in the history of our people.
We remember how much blood was shed during the years of upholding the independence of South Ossetia and with the help of Russia we expelled the enemy and gained freedom, " Bibilov said.
He has reminded that the people of South Ossetia from the 20s of the last century fought for the reunification of Ossetia within Russia. "It was then that our people were divided into two parts. Our intelligentsia fought for joining Russia and because of this they were destroyed, " the President of South Ossetia said.
According to him, the Congress of the Ossetian people provides an opportunity to develop common approaches and coordinate efforts to solve the most pressing problems of Ossetia
Bibilov, in particular, once again drew attention to the problem of East Ossetia, whose residents are forbidden by the Georgian authorities to visit their native places.
"Our citizens should be able to visit holy places, cemeteries, so as not to forget about their roots," Bibilov said.
