The issue of dual citizenship with the Russian Federation is on the agenda, it was discussed recently at the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This was announced at the briefing in Tskhinval by South Ossetian Foreign Minister Akhsar Dzhioev.
According to him, a decree of the Russian President is expected, without which the agreement cannot enter into force.
"This issue is on our agenda every day. Now we are waiting for a decree of the Russian President, which will prescribe the mechanism for acquiring of Russian citizenship by residents of South Ossetia. Without this decree, the agreement will not enter into force yet, we are all strongly expecting this and, as noted by our Russian partners, we will be expecting that this agreement will enter into force in the near future," Dzhioev said.
It should be noted that the Agreement between South Ossetia and Russia on Dual Citizenship was signed on September 20, 2021. It states that citizens of one party have the right to acquire the citizenship of the other party without renouncing their existing citizenship. Russia grants citizens of South Ossetia (at the time of recognition of the Republic on August 26, 2008) who have reached the age of majority the right to apply for admission to the Russian citizenship in a simplified manner.
The conditions for acquiring the citizenship, the procedure for submitting applications for acquizition, the list of documents provided and the procedure for considering applications are established by President of Russia.
It is also noted that persons who are citizens of both parties enjoy the rights to social security, education, and medical care in accordance with the legislation of the party in the territory of which they permanently reside. At the same time, either party has the right to provide such persons with rights and benefits, even if they reside in the territory of the other party. The parties also provide each other, upon request, with the information on the acquisition of citizenship of a third state by persons with dual citizenship.
The agreement is subject to ratification and enters into force on the date of exchange of instruments of ratification. It is valid for five years and is automatically extended for subsequent five-year periods unless either party notifies the other through official channels six months before the expiration of the next five-year period.
"Termination of the agreement does not entail automatic termination of citizenship of either party. The further stay of persons holding citizenship of both parties is governed by applicable international treaties and the legislation of the parties," the document summarizes.
