The act of recognition marked the beginning of a new historical era for the people of South Ossetia – the era of peace and prosperity, and the date of August 26, 2008 has forever gone down in history as the long-awaited day of the triumph of historical justice, President of the Republic Anatoly Bibilov said in his congratulatory address to the people.
“Today we are celebrating another anniversary of the fateful event - the day of recognition of the independence of our country by the Russian Federation.
The path to this joyful day was long and full of hardest trials. In August 2008, the people of South Ossetia once again found themselves on the verge of physical annihilation by the newly invaded Georgian troops, and resolute help from Russia brought salvation. The war was stopped; however, it was obvious that only the recognition of independence would make it possible to ensure lasting peace on the land of South Ossetia,” the address says.
According to the President, together with South Ossetia, brotherly Abkhazia, against which Georgia was also preparing military aggression, gained recognition of Russia.
“The recognition has brought lasting peace and broad prospects to our country. After the bloody wars unleashed by Georgia in the 90s, in 2004 and in August 2008, after many years of life in conditions of constant military threat, South Ossetia found all the necessary conditions for creative work and revival, and the implementation of the course for comprehensive integration with Russia has opened up qualitatively new opportunities for socio-economic development for us and has given us an immeasurably higher level of security,” the head of state said.
He has added that along with the recognition, the dreams and aspirations of the people, for which they went through unthinkable trials and for which many generations have made so many sacrifices, have come true.
“And on this day, we are again bringing tribute to the sacred memory of our defenders of the Fatherland, peacekeepers who stood in the way of the enemy, to the Russian soldiers who forced the aggressor to peace. The feeling of the greatest gratitude to the leaders of the Russian Federation who made the fateful decisions in August 2008 will forever remain in our hearts, forever there will be endless gratitude to the entire Russian people for the help and unwavering support provided,” Bibilov emphasized.
The President noted that the trials passed and the experience of generations, repeatedly tested by history, further strengthens the once definite and unchanging historical choice - an inviolable union with the Great Russia.
“Under no circumstances will we deviate from the course of strengthening this union, we will continue to develop integration in all areas, relying on the precepts of our ancestors and the repeatedly confirmed will of the people of South Ossetia. Only with Russia our people see their tomorrow, confidence in a safe future and prosperity of their homeland, only with Russia our people tie their fate!”, - concluded the head of state, congratulating fellow citizens on the great holiday of recognition and victory.
