Issues of consolidation of the society on the eve of the presidential elections were discussed at the meeting between President of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov and former head of state Eduard Kokoity, the press service of the President of South Ossetia reported.
According to Bibilov, despite the political discords with Kokoity, they will be serving one goal - the development and strengthening of South Ossetia.
“It is very important that we met. First of all, this is important for our society, especially before the elections, I think that politicians should meet and discuss the existing issues. I cannot but thank you for your sympathy with the fate of our guys - participants in the Russian special operation in Ukraine. This question worries both soldiers and their parents. I think we will do our best to minimize the costs that they could have.
Dismissal from the army is not the biggest problem that our guys can have, and this should all end,” Bibilov said.
He noted that "whatever political discords there may be between us, the most important thing for us is the fate of our people, our Republic."
“In this regard, I think our meeting is also a certain consolidating moment for our society,” the President stressed.
Eduard Kokoity, in turn, also expressed gratitude to Anatoly Bibilov.
“You have also done a lot for these guys, and I want to thank them again for listening to our opinion and not organizing an action. They wouldn't be useful.
We have enough resources to defend the positions of our guys, there could be tougher punishments for such actions, this is one of the examples when we act together and benefit our people,” Kokoity said.
According to him, the elections will pass, but the society will remain.
“And therefore, I consider the consolidation of our society to be a paramount task. Of course, we will also deal with the issues of our youth, who are currently participating in the special operation in Russia, so that the fighting spirit of our guys is somehow not fettered by this unpleasant incident that took place. If many of our compatriots believe that this is not our war, we must stop such conversations, because the special operation during which Russia is fighting the nationalists, including our special operation, because Russia is our strategic partner. And this trouble can come to us too,” Kokoity added.
The parties also discussed the forthcoming referendum on the entry of the Republic into Russia.
“I myself am for the independent Republic, for a state allied with Russia. But the fact that a referendum is needed, I understand, is our support for Russia. It is imperative to create all conditions for our integration with Russia, we must think about global security,” Kokoity said.
Bibilov, in turn, has noted that today the referendum is being linked to the presidential election, which, according to him, is not true.
“The future of our people cannot be tied to elections,” the head of state noted, expressing gratitude in the person of Eduard Kokoity to the former presidents who were included in the initiative group for holding a referendum on the Republic's accession to the Russian Federation.
Following the meeting, Anatoly Bibilov wrote in his telegram channel that “together we will be helping our youth, who are now fulfilling their military and civic duty by taking part in the Russian special operation in Ukraine.”
“Eduard Dzhabeevich Kokoity will become the special representative of South Ossetia for the entire duration of the special operation of the Russian Federation. I am sure that his vast experience will help him in coordinating the humanitarian mission of our Republic on the territory of the DNR and Ukraine, as well as in promptly solving problems of providing assistance to our servicemen and their families,” Bibilov said.
