President of South Ossetia Alan Gagloev met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, the press service of the Foreign Ministry of South Ossetia reports.
Sergei Lavrov congratulated Alan Gagloev on his victory in the presidential election.
“Once again was confirmed the mature nature of the South Ossetian society, the successes in democratic construction, which was evidenced by numerous international observers. We welcome such results,” he said.
Further, the key issues of the bilateral agenda and foreign policy coordination, including the expansion of international relations of the Republic of South Ossetia, were considered in detail. Sergey Lavrov assured the head of the South Ossetian state of support in all areas.
In the context of regional security, was discussed the state of affairs at the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia.
Sergei Lavrov informed Alan Gagloev about the course of the Russian special military operation to protect Donbass. A high assessment was given to the humanitarian assistance provided by Tskhinval to the Donetsk and the Lugansk People's Republics.
“Our relations are built on the basis of alliance, strategic partnership. This is especially important in the current conditions, when they are trying to undermine the international situation in the interests of one group of countries - our Western colleagues, primarily the United States.
The West is trying to reverse the trends that are developing in the world, to establish its unipolar hegemony. I am convinced that nothing will come of it. We are committed, like the Republic of South Ossetia, to the fundamental norms of international law, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereign equality of states, large and small.
I believe that the coordination of actions in the area of humanitarian support for the two young republics will also be one of the areas of our joint efforts,” the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.
The meeting also reaffirmed Moscow's and Tskhinval's invariable adherence to the principles of equality and mutual respect, and expressed a firm commitment to strengthening allied Russian-South Ossetian relations.
“We are developing our relations in all areas without exception: this is an intensive political dialogue, military-technical cooperation, trade and economic ties, investments, humanitarian, cultural relations. There are a number of structures that ensure the development of these ties. Security in the Republic of South Ossetia is reliably guaranteed by the Russian military base, border security is ensured with the participation of the Border Directorate of the FSB of the Russian Federation. A Joint Information and Coordination Center is operating in Tskhinval through law enforcement agencies. I know that these forms of our alliance are highly valued in the Republic.
Economic ties are developing. In 2021, trade increased by almost 50%. A program for the socio-economic development of the Republic of South Ossetia is being implemented. During your current meetings, you discussed the issues of financial assistance and its implementation at the Ministry of Economic Development. I am convinced that this will be an important contribution to the further development of the republic and our friendly relations,” he said.
In addition, Sergey Lavrov positively assessed the temporary opening of Razdakhan, Sinagur and Pereu checkpoints on the border with Georgia.
For his part, Alan Gagloev expressed his gratitude for the attention.
“On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of South Ossetia, I express my deep gratitude to the leadership of Russia, to you personally for your great contribution to strengthening bilateral relations. We appreciate the level of relations that have developed between our countries , and we hope that we will take the initiatives that have already been achieved to a new level.
I want to emphasize that those interactions in various areas between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia will continue, and I think we will come up with proposals, including on the issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We look forward to the support and mutual understanding of our strategic partner,” said President of South Ossetia.
He highly appreciated the assistance of the Russian Federation provided to South Ossetia both in the years of confronting the military aggression of Georgia and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alan Gagloev has stressed that the foreign policy vector of South Ossetia is directed exclusively towards Russia: "We have our own position, and we will be always defending our common interests."
