South Ossetia is ready to directly engage in dialogue with Georgia on any issues, and statements that Russia is preventing this are myths, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
"The South Ossetian side is ready for an open dialogue with Georgian representatives - this is a very important point - on any current issues and problems," Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.
She urged Georgian journalists not to ignore her words. The diplomat also called the myth that the Russian Federation allegedly does not let Georgian journalists into the territory of the republic as a myth.
“They don’t do this because they simply don’t want it, they’re not ready to request the opportunity to visit South Ossetia, come, do reports, talk with people who live in South Ossetia, speak with the leadership of South Ossetia. They’re either forbidden or they understand that they simply won’t be able to tell them what to tell them on television or print in their newspapers. Once again, I turn to them: make an effort on yourself and quote at least one phrase directly, without distorting, do it in the name of your country " she added.
The diplomat has emphasized that Tskhinval repeatedly invited Tbilisi to sit at the negotiating table and "directly discuss demarcation, delimitation of the joint border, and this is not the only issue on which South Ossetia is ready ... for a direct dialogue with Georgia." If necessary, Russia is ready to assist in this, said Zakharova.
