Инга Чехоева

President Leonid Tibilov has received the delegation of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, headed by the Chairman of the Parliament Alexei Machnev.

The delegation arrived in Tskhinval to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia.

The delegation has also included the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of North Ossetia Gary Kuchiev, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs and Health Vitali Bazzaev, members of the North Ossetian parliament.

Opening the meeting, the President welcomed the guests and noted that in South Ossetia "are always glad to meet their brothers.
"Speaking about the celebration of an important date, Leonid Tibilov said that the South Ossetian deputies for 25 years, since the 90s, are engaged in strengthening of the statehood.
He has also noted that North Ossetia always provided assistance to South Ossetia, including, in the development of the first legislative acts of the Republic in the difficult 90s.

"Today, South Ossetia, recognized by our strategic partner- the Russian Federation, - is moving forward with confidence. We are proud of the high-level relations between South and North Ossetia, "- he added.

Speaking about the implementation of the Treaty of Alliance and Integration, Tibilov has noted that all the addendums have been practically finalized, and their implementation will start soon.

Referring to the prospects of accession of South Ossetia to Russia, Tibilov has stressed that it is necessary, first of all, to observe the law and not subject to political risks our strategic partner – Russian Federation.

"Now we are working on the legal component of this issue. There is a process of consultations, including between the parliaments of South and North Ossetia ", - he said.

Leonid Tibilov thanked the guests for their visit.

Alex Machnev, for his part, thanked the President for the warm reception and conveyed greetings on behalf of the Acting head of North Ossetia Bitarov.

"We are very glad to take part in the festivities. For any parliament 25 years - is a long period, and for your Parliament - special.
All these years, the country was living in difficult conditions and now reached a stage of peace building ", - he said.
The Cooperation Agreement between the parliaments of North and South Ossetia, which is expected to be signed soon, according to Machnev, will bring closer the two republics.

"I wish you peace and prosperity, we will be always with you", - he added.
At the end of the meeting, Leonid Tibilov presented state awards to the guests.

South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov met with a delegation of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, arrived in Tskhinval to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia.
The delegation has included Senators Alexander Totoonov, Igor Martynov, the Chairman of the Assembly of the Council of Peoples of Russia, and is headed by the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev.

South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received the Chairman of the People's Council of the Lugansk People`s Republic Vladimir Degterenko.

The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister of South Ossetia Domenti Kulumbegov and deputy of the South Ossetian Parliament Dmitry Parastaev.

The Delegation of the Lugansk People`s Republic, headed by Degterenko, arrived in South Ossetia on the occasion of celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Parliament of South Ossetia.

President Leonid Tibilov welcomed the guests and congratulated Degterenko on his recent appointment as the Chairman of the People`s Council of the Lugansk People`s Republic.

The Head of State has expressed confidence that the People`s Council under his leadership will maintain active and constructive efforts to strengthen the statehood of the Republic and the establishment of relations with other states.

Leonid Tibilov has reminded that the legislature of South Ossetia was created in difficult conditions.

"Formation of the Republic of South Ossetia was also under difficult conditions, but thanks to the will and mood of the people to win, we have achieved great results," - he said and noted that today South Ossetia was moving forward on the path of development.

In turn, Vladimir Degterenko thanked Leonid Tibilov and all the people of the Republic for the warm welcome and hospitality.

On behalf of the people of Lugansk Degterenko also expressed his sincere gratitude for the recognition of the independence of the Luhansk People's Republic.

He has stressed that for the people of Lugansk the friendly move by South Ossetia has become an important historical event.

"For us, it was a breath of fresh air, a lot of support. We realized that we were not alone ", - he said.

Leonid Tibilov and Vladimir Degterenko noted the similarity of the fate of the peoples of South Ossetia and Lugansk.

"We want to take advantage of this positive experience. It will help make the right decisions in difficult circumstances to act quickly and correctly ", - said the guest.

Degterenko noted with regret that so far in Tskhinval one could see the scars of war.

"But you have overcome all difficulties and now you are moving forward."

Leonid Tibilov stressed that the republic was developing thanks to the comprehensive assistance of the Russian Federation.

"South Ossetia, as well as Lugansk, suffered greatly from the war, since the late 90s and until 2008. There are still many signs of law, but we are working with a positive attitude, and in the near future, there will not be any signs of war. Since the recognition of our independence by the Russian Federation in 2008, South Ossetia has been developing under protection and peace ", - he said.

Speaking about the relations between Lugansk and South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov has noted that the friendship between the two republics in South Ossetia is highly valued.

"Convey our cordial wishes of good, development and prosperity to the fraternal people of Lugansk and the leadership of the Republic, " said the President of the RSO.

At the end of the meeting, Leonid Tibilov presented Vladimir Degterenko with an "Order of Friendship" for his great contribution to the development and strengthening of relations and cooperation between the peoples of South Ossetia and the Donetsk People's Republic and in connection with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia.

South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov has received the Chairman of the People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin.

The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic Domenti Kulumbegov and the Chairman of the Committee on Legislation, Legality and Local Self-Government of the South Ossetian Parliament Olesya Kochieva.

Opening the meeting, President Leonid Tibilov has welcomed the guests, noting that the decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic by was made by the Government and the Parliament of South Ossetia unanimously.

"Today, South Ossetia is ready to strengthen diplomatic ties with Donetsk.

Appropriate instructions have been given to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, we are laying a foundation for the development of our relations, and we must make every effort in order that our people may be proud of this relationship, "- he said.

The President has also stressed that the heroic people of Donetsk, as well as the people of South Ossetia, experienced great hardships.

"Unfortunately, we must note with regret that Kiev is under the influence of destructive forces that could take over."

At the same time, the president has added, that the South Ossetian leadership is pleased to note that the fraternal friendly people are on the path of development of the statehood.

"We are always happy to see your successes. Let luck and success accompany you on the chosen path. "

In turn, Denis Pushilin thanked the President for the warm reception and congratulated on the holiday, noting that the examples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia always inspired confidence in the residents of Donetsk.

"These examples gave us strength when we started our actions, disagreed with the coup d'état that took place in Kiev. We could not accept the fact that there was a rewriting of history ", - he said."

Denis Pushilin has stressed that today South Ossetia and the Donetsk People`s Republic have reached a new level of relations.

"Today, our delegation has arrived delegation to start cooperation in various fields", - he said and expressed confidence that the cooperation would be fruitful.

During the meeting it was also said about the role of the Russian Federation, "big brother", which has been providing great assistance both to South Ossetia and Donetsk.

"Russia is really on the side of the truth", - said Pushilin.

He has also expressed his gratitude to all the Ossetian people for support in the defense of Donetsk.

"Ossetian diaspora in Donetsk in arms was defending the Republic, despite the great risks and losses", - he said.

At the end of the meeting, Leonid Tibilov presented Denis Pushilin with the "Order of Friendship" - for his great contribution to the development and strengthening of relations and cooperation between the peoples of South Ossetia and the Donetsk People's Republic and in connection with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Parliament of the Republic of South Ossetia.

In turn, Denis Pushilin presented the South Ossetian President a memorable gift – a sword, forged from the splinters of shells, exploded on the Donetsk land, entwined with roses. Rose is a symbol of Donetsk.

"We are even ready to reforge weapons into flowers," - said Pushilin.

It should be noted that along with the numerous delegations, a delegation of the Donetsk People's Republic, headed by the Chairman of the People's Council Denis Pushilin, arrived in South Ossetia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Parliament of South Ossetia.

The question of accession of South Ossetia to the Russian Federation was discussed at a recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin, said during today's press conference in Tskhinval South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov.

According to him, the heads of state noted that this problem was an internal affair of South Ossetia.

"The issue of accession of South Ossetia to Russia should not expose to political risks our strategic partner. This is a very important moment, "- he said.

Speaking about the process of implementation of the plan, which will allow the President of South Ossetia to appeal to the Russian leadership with the initiative to access to the Russian Federation, Leonid Tibilov has stressed that at the first stage it is necessary to amend Article 10 of the Constitution of South Ossetia.

"The amendments to the Constitution allow the President to appeal to the leadership of Russia with a proposal to create a single authorized federal agency," - he explained.

Answering the question about the date of holding the referendum, the President has noted that it will be conducted "not in a year, or two, not even in six months, but much more earlier."

"There are no any obstacles, so we'll prepare for the referendum", - he said. - We will put this question, and we will act in the future based on the current situation. "

Leonid Tibilov has added that this plan was also discussed with representatives of the Russian leadership and received positive feedback.

Stable development of South Ossetia for the past few years is due to strengthening of relations with the Russian Federation, told the news agency "Res" the head of administration of Tskhinval district of South Ossetia Alan Pliev, commenting on the meeting of the presidents of South Ossetia and Russia.

The delegation of the Republic of Abkhazia, led by the Vice-President Vitaly Gabniya and State Secretary of the Russian Olympic Committee Andrei Konokotin arrived today in South Ossetia. The guests were accompanied by the head coach of the Russian national team in freestyle wrestling Dzambolat Tedeev. The delegation has also included the Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Abkhazia on Physical Culture and Sport Bagrat Khutaba.

Near the Russian-South Ossetian border the delegations were met by representatives of the South Ossetian leadership and representatives of the Fund to Support the wounded disabled during the fighting on the territory of South Ossetia in 1989-2008. The guests were welcomed by the President of the organization of war invalids Madina Plieva, Deputy Head of the Presidential Executive Office of South Ossetia Konstantin Pukhaev, Advisor to the President of the RSO on Social Affairs Radion Siukaev, Ambassador of Abkhazia to South Ossetia Alan Elbakiev.

The guests were welcomed by Ossetian tradition with three pies and a cup of a ritual drink. The choir of the state song and dance ensemble "Simd" performed Ossetian and Abkhazian songs.

Vice-President of Abkhazia Vitaly Gabniya expressed gratitude for the warm welcome.

He has noted that the fraternal relations between the two republics each year are strengthened, and wished the residents of South Ossetia peace and prosperity.

"You won in a hard struggle for your independence. The courageous and heroic people of Ossetia are very close to us in spirit and the friendship between us over the years will become stronger ", - he said.

Andrei Konokotin visited South Ossetia for the first time and thanked everyone for the warm welcome.

He called Ossetia a forge of champions and wished Ossetian athletes further achievements.

"Ossetia is worldwide renowned for its sporting achievements. Dzambolat Tedeev is the pride of all Russian sports, "- he said and expressed hope for the development of sports cooperation between Russia and South Ossetia.

Dzambolat Tedeev welcomed the guests on the fertile Ossetian land and thanked them for the visit.

The Russian and Abkhazian delegations have also met today with the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov. The guests also honored the memory of the fallen defenders of South Ossetia and laid flowers and wreaths at the memorial monument.

A joint exhibition of works by the well-known Ossetian artists "Ossetian palette on the banks of the Neva River" will be held in the cultural capital of the Russian Federation from 6 to 19 March.

Today, as part of the IV International St. Petersburg Cultural Forum, the ministries of Culture of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation signed a cooperation program for 2016-2020.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Culture of the RSO, the program was signed by the Minister of Culture of South Ossetia Madina Ostaeva and the Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky.

This program is an important addendum to the Treaty of Alliance and Integration between the two countries, signed on March 18 in the Kremlin, by presidents Leonid Tibilov and Vladimir Putin.

Within the framework of the program there will be trainings of South Ossetian specialists in various Russian institutes, regular participation of creative groups from South Ossetia in cultural events held in Russia, the joint work of Russian and South Ossetian specialists in the sphere of preservation of cultural heritage, regular exhibitions of South Ossetian painters in Russia.

This cooperation will be an important factor in all-round development of cultural sphere of South Ossetia and strengthening of the traditional cultural relations between the peoples of South Ossetia and Russia.

The qualifying match for the status of mandatory challenger for the IBF world title, between the Ossetian athlete Murat Gassiev (Iron) and American boxer Isaiah Thomas will be held on December 18 in Las Vegas.
According to the athlete's coach Vitaly Slanov, the "promoters were forced to urgently find replacement to the previous opponent of Murat - Georgian athlete Iago Kiladze, who suddenly refused to fight, scheduled for December 28."
The victory in the upcoming bout gives the right to compete for the IBF world title with the current belt holder, Argentine boxer Victor Emilio Ramirez.

Being unbeaten, a 21- year-old Ossetian boxer Murat Gassiev, (first heavy weight (up to 90.7 kg.), is the IBF European champion among adults, the WBC world champion among youth. Gassiev is on the third position in the ranking of the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

The athlete has never been defeated - 22 duels, 16 wins by knockout.
The coaches of the athlete are- Honored coach of the Republic of South Ossetia and Russia Vitaly Slanov and master of sports Alexander Tedeev, a well-known boxing trainer Abel Sanchez.

A 25-year-old American boxer Isaiah Thomas is also unbeaten in the professional ring.