Moscow Downplays Tbilisi’s Concerns over North and South Ossetian Ties

In an information note issued on May 23 the Russian Foreign Ministry said that there is “nothing extraordinary” in the fact that government officials from North Ossetia participated in a session of the South Ossetian government, which took place in Tskhinvali on May 19.

On May 20 the Georgian Foreign Ministry demanded an explanation from Russia over the joint session of Russia’s North Ossetian and breakaway South Ossetian governments, describing this move as an unfriendly step by Russia towards Georgia.
 
“In reality, a session of the South Ossetian government was held in Tskhinvali with the participation of representatives from the North Ossetian government. The previous session was held in Vladikavkaz [North Ossetian capital] and South Ossetian representatives participated in a session of the North Ossetian government,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“One should not forget that North and South Ossetia are not simply commonly used geographic names – we are also talking about one nation, linked with multiple historical, cultural and economic ties,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
 
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that in December 2000 Russia and Georgia signed an intergovernmental agreement on interaction in rehabilitating the South Ossetian conflict zone and returning internally displaced persons, which envisaged that Russia and Georgia should support the initiatives of  theadministrative-territorial bodies, enterprises, and organizations on rendering assistance to the South Ossetian side in conducting restoration works and promoting the attraction of investments for further economic development in the breakaway region.

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