South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov met with a delegation of the Russian Defense Ministry, led by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Sergei Istrakov, who arrived in the Republic on a two-day working visit.
According to the press service of the head of state, Minister of Defense of South Ossetia Ibrahim Gasseev, his Deputies and heads of departments and services of the Ministry of Defense, and the Russian ambassador to South Ossetia Marat Kulakhmetov also attended the meeting.
Greeting the guests, the head of state noted the high level of interaction between the defense departments of South Ossetia and Russia, while emphasizing that there are issues requiring more in-depth study and certain decisions to further strengthen the military units of South Ossetia.
“Security issues are completely understandable. The whole range of measures that was associated with the provision of a single safety circuit, in fact, is already working. The issues facing our departments are resolved promptly. And those that have yet to be discussed are related to the defense capability of the Republic, the interaction of units of the Ministry of Defense of South Ossetia and the 4th Russian military base. It is also encouraging to note that many citizens of South Ossetia are already serving at the 4th military base,” he said.
For his part, Sergei Istrakov thanked the head of the South Ossetian state for the opportunity to meet and discuss a number of issues. He has noted that the Russian Federation highly appreciates the cooperation that has developed between South Ossetia and Russia.
“We strive to develop it and move only forward. The guarantor of peace and stability in the rRpublic is the 4th Russian military base located on the territory of South Ossetia. I want to note that servicemen always speak warmly about the people and the Republic as a whole.
The agreements signed earlier are being implemented at full speed, the reform of the Armed Forces of the Republic of South Ossetia has been completed. We can say that now we have reached a new stage - a high level of training and the ability to solve complex and responsible tasks,” he said.
Sergei Istrakov has also noted that 508 citizens of South Ossetia are currently serving on the territory of the 4th military base and each of them is honorably fulfilling their duties.
Continuing the theme, he has noted that with the Minister of Defense of South Ossetia, Ibrahim Gasseev, a large range of existing issues and problems was discussed for two days.
“In accordance with the interstate agreement, the issues of pension provision for South Ossetian military personnel were regulated, work on its practical implementation was organized, and the Agreement on the provision of medical assistance to military personnel was also being implemented. But we still have a lot of work ahead,” he said.
For services to the development of military cooperation, high professionalism and a great personal contribution to strengthening the defense capabilities of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov awarded Sergey Istrakov the Order of Friendship, a number of officers of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation were awarded by the decree of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia medals "For to guard the peace in South Ossetia" .
