President Anatoly Bibilov met with the head of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Sergei Menyailo, who arrived in South Ossetia to participate in commemorative events dedicated to the 13th anniversary of Georgia's military aggression against the Republic of South Ossetia.
The head of state reminded of the events of August 8 and Georgia's treacherous attack on sleeping Tskhinval, which claimed the lives of many civilians.
“The fact that you are with us on such a day once again emphasizes that we are not brotherly, but one people, where any tragedy in the northern or southern part is of a national character. The fact that today President of Abkhazia and you are with us - this speaks of unity, which we will build up in the future,” Anatoly Bibilov said.
Sergei Menyailo has noted that today we must strive to ensure that such tragedies do not repeat in the fate of Ossetia, and that the memory of the victims is unforgettable.
“I remember well how it all began 13 years ago and how it ended for the aggressor. Then President of the Russian Federation made a decision to protect civilians. Of course, this is already history, and as in the history of any nation there are both heroic and tragic events. The year 2008 once again showed the unity of all the people of Ossetia in order to repulse the aggressor,” he said.
Continuing the conversation, Anatoly Bibilov also touched upon the topic of recent calls by Georgia and its curators to withdraw the recognition of the South Ossetia's independence. The head of state called such a statement on the eve of memorable days an inhuman, blasphemous act.
"If Russia had looked back at the appeals of the West in 2008, then South Ossetia and its people would not have existed at all. We are grateful to the leadership of the Russian Federation for the actions that allowed to save the people of the Republic of South Ossetia,” he said.
Sergei Menyailo has noted that Russia is capable of defending the safety of its own citizens in any territory.
“Today the Russian Federation is a strong state, capable of defending both the words that were given and the guarantees of the safety of its citizens in any territory. The people want to live in peaceful conditions, but everything else is our task - to make life comfortable for people,” he said.
Menyailo noted that he had been to the village of Dzau and Tskhinval more than once, at one time he participated in the construction of TransKAM, and the last time he was in South Ossetia in 2008 on duty.
The action in memory of the victims of the Georgian aggression is being held in the capital of South Ossetia on Saturday evening.
