Russia will continue to provide support to South Ossetia in the field of security and defense, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, opening the negotiations in Sochi with President of the Republic Alan Gagloev.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate you on two very significant dates - the 15th anniversary of international recognition and the 33rd anniversary of Republic Day,” said the head of the Russian diplomatic service. “We value our common history, without exaggeration, the brotherhood of our peoples, which we will be strengthening in every possible way, and we will continue to support the Republic of South Ossetia in the areas of security, defense, and socio-economic development."
Lavrov had noted that relations between the two countries are developing dynamically, this meets the interests of the citizens of the Russian Federation and South Ossetia. “The political dialogue is intensive at the level of the President, with whom you are in contact, at the level of the leadership of the parliaments and at the level of the Security Council, the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, the government and through other channels, including, of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he added.
According to Lavrov, the parties are actively working to strengthen the legal framework. “We note very positive trends in the field of mutual trade, which last year reached almost $140 million. We are still counting in dollars, but this will not last long,” the Minister has noted. “We see the great interest of our citizens in deepening cultural and humanitarian ties. It is important that the investment program is being implemented for the next three years."
“We are grateful for the support of our military personnel who are participating in the special military operation, including for your personal attention to sending humanitarian aid to this region. And we proceed from the fact that all the tasks set by the President will, of course, be completed.”, - emphasized the head of the Russian diplomatic department.
Lavrov has noted that today the parties will sign a plan for consultations between the foreign ministries. “We are in close coordination on the issues of regional policy, on the international issues and in relation to external contacts of the Republic of South Ossetia, which we will be supporting in every possible way and will be helping them in the future,” he has concluded.
