MFA Condemns Joint Declaration between South, North Ossetia

The Georgian Foreign Ministry sent a note to the Russian Foreign Ministry expressing protest regarding a joint declaration signed by South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity and Russia?s North Ossetian President Teimuraz Mamsurov in Tskhinvali on September 18.

The joint declaration reads that North and South Ossetia aspire ?to preserve the unity of the Ossetian people.? Authorities in breakaway South Ossetia say that Tskhinvali is seeking internationally recognized independence before ultimately joining Russia?s North Ossetian Republic.

?Since the Russian side is responsible for the activities of the executive authorities, the Georgian Foreign Ministry estimates the moves by the North Ossetian leader as an unfriendly step [taken by] the Russian side, which backs separatism in the region,? the statement issued by the Georgian Foreign Ministry on September 21 reads.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry urges the Russian side to take immediate measures in order to eradicate those actions which can extremely aggravate the situation in the conflict zone and trigger tensions in the relationship between Georgia and Russia.