The State Duma of Russia on Thursday ratified a protocol on amending the agreement between the Russian Federation and South Ossetia on cooperation and integration, providing for the lifting of mutual restrictions on the length of stay of citizens in the territories of both countries.
The corresponding bill was submitted to the State Duma by Russian President Vladimir Putin in April of this year.
"It is proposed to ratify the Protocol on Amendments to the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia of Alliance and Integration of March 18, 2015, signed in Moscow on November 9, 2018," reads the explanatory note to the document.
As noted, the protocol provides for "the possibility for citizens of one contracting party to stay on the territory of another contracting party without restrictions on the length of stay established by the legislation of each of the contracting parties."
It is reported that the implementation of the protocol will contribute to further development of friendly relations between the Russian Federation and South Ossetia.
During the discussion of the protocol, the State Secretary - Deputy Interior Minister Igroi Zubov, who presented the document at the meeting, was asked whether the relevant relief measures would not be introduced for the residents of Abkhazia.
"In the future, of course, we will propose to Abkhaz colleagues to conclude a similar agreement," said Zubov.
The protocol was signed in Moscow on November 9, 2018.
According to the current legislation, the period of temporary stay in Russia of a foreign citizen who arrived in a visa-free manner may not exceed 90 days in total for each period of 180 days.
