President of South Ossetia Alan Gagloev took part in the International Scientific and Practical Conference “The Joining of Alania-Ossetia to Russia” in Vladikavkaz, dedicated to the 250th anniversary of Ossetia’s entry into Russia, reports the press service of the head of the South Ossetian state.
The event took place at the Kosta Khetagurov North Ossetian State University.
The conference was attended by head of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Sergei Menyailo, Chairman of the Parliament of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Ruslan Tuskaev, representatives of the scientific and creative intelligentsia of South and North Ossetia, and other officials, including delegates from different regions of the Russian Federation.
The purpose of the conference is to unite the efforts of leading scientists, teachers and graduate students in considering a significant event in the history of the multinational Russian state - the joining of Alania-Ossetia to Russia.
Addressing the audience with a welcoming speech, Sergei Menyailo emphasized the importance of the event, noting that the identity of Ossetia lies in its centuries-old history, culture, customs and traditions.
“We must respect our history, preserve the values of our nation, instill in young people a sense of pride in their country and motivate the younger generation to new achievements,” he said.
For his part, Alan Gagloev has reminded those present that the choice of voluntary joining to Russia, made by the Ossetians in the 18th century, was a deeply and comprehensively thought-out decision.
“Having once made the choice of an alliance with Russia, the Ossetians remained faithful to this choice in all historical circumstances, realizing themselves as part of this great community of peoples, united in joy and sorrow, sharing their involvement in the past, present and future of Russia,” he said.
President of the Republic of South Ossetia has noted that the accessory of both North and South Ossetia to Russia is an objective reality and a guarantee of a reliable future for the Ossetian national statehood.
“In August 2008, Georgia once again unleashed armed aggression against South Ossetia. In the face of mortal danger, our people were drawing strength from their firm confidence that Russia would not leave us in trouble and would come to the rescue. When the leadership of the Russian Federation decided to carry out the operation to force Georgia to peace, a huge number of people in Russia took the tragedy of South Ossetia very closely. This is only possible when there is a sense of unity,” said Alan Gagloev.
He has emphasized that the fateful decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the state independence of South Ossetia in August 2008 became a reliable guarantee of the security of the South Ossetian people from new attempts of aggression and destruction by Georgia.
According to President of South Ossetia, the principle of “two countries - one space” has been implemented through alliance and integration.
“Fulfilling their allied duty and continuing the centuries-old traditions of military cooperation, fighteers from South Ossetia, shoulder to shoulder with Russian fighters, have been protecting Russian compatriots from genocide in the people's republics of Donbass, in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
People of South Ossetia will always be close to Russia, we are bound by lasting peace and security, guarantees of development and confidence in the future,” said Alan Gagloev.
The head of the South Ossetian state has also emphasized that Russia is confidently and consistently moving along the path of free and sovereign development, which is based on identity, traditional values, respect for national culture and customs.
“We can only protect our interests and the right to a future together with Russia. This is a firm choice for South Ossetia, and we will continue to work in this direction,” he said.
At the end of his speech, President of the Republic of South Ossetia has expressed confidence that the work of the scientific forum will not only make a significant contribution to understanding the historical experience of the Russian-Ossetian relations, but will also allow us to analyze and evaluate the current state, potential and prospects for national development.
For his great personal contribution to scientific cooperation between Russia and South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev awarded the Order of Friendship to director of the Institute of History and Archeology of North Ossetia-Alania Ruslan Bzarov.
The head of state signed the corresponding decree on June 8, 2023.
