If South Ossetia joins the Russian Federation, it could become a single entity with North Ossetia, President of the Republic Anatoly Bibilov said.
"The most important thing is that consultations with our Russian colleagues are already underway. Legal actions must be based on international law, there is a basis for this. South Ossetia is the independent state and can make those decisions that it considers vital for itself. When we are already part of the Russian Federation, within the Russian Federation, there are procedures that are associated with the unification of the, constituent regions" Bibilov said in the interview with the Rossiya 24 TV channel.
"South Ossetia can become part of the Russian Federation as a constituent region of Russia. We already have Alania: both North Ossetia - Alania and South Ossetia - the State of Alania. This is already one Alania. When we are already part of the Russian Federation, there are also procedures that are connected with the unification of the constituent regions. Today, South Ossetia can become part of the Russian Federation as a constituent region of Russia. I think that the unification of Ossetia is necessary," Bibilov said.
"Many say who will be the head, the president (of a single constituent region of the Federation), where the government will be - these are technical issues that can be resolved, and these decisions can be absolutely correct in terms of the location of certain power structures," Bibilov said, stressing that "Ossetia, without a doubt, must be united."
When asked what legal steps South Ossetia would have to take to join the Russian Federation, Bibilov replied: "This decision is vital for the people of the Republic. All other decisions are prescribed in the Constitution. Of course, it will be necessary to hold a plebiscite, it will be necessary to ask the opinion of the people».
He has noted that joining the Russian Federation will greatly increase the security of the Republic, which plays an important role for society. "The new Constitution of the Russian Federation stipulates that the Russian Federation will in no case give away the territories that are in the Russian Federation to anyone. This greatly increases the security of the population of the Republic of South Ossetia," Bibilov said.
According to him, as part of Russia, the Republic will get more opportunities for economic development. Thus, the opportunities for socio-economic development will increase significantly. “You know perfectly well that today it is the investment program that is aimed at developing infrastructure, social facilities. To date, we have worked with the Russian Federation on the budget for the socio-economic development program, this program is for three years and financially this is about 4 billion rubles," Bibilov summed up.
