Russian MFA Notes Importance of South Ossetia’s Right of Self-Determination

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in its information note issued on June 1 that while Russia respects the principle of territorial integrity, the principle of the right of self-determination should also be respected in the process of South Ossetian conflict resolution.

“We respect the principle of territorial integrity. But this integrity, in respect to Georgia, is more a possible condition than an existing political-legal reality and the creation of this [real territorial integrity] is only possible through difficult negotiations in which South Ossetia’s position, as we understand, is based on the right of self-determination, which is not a less important internationally recognized principle [than the principle of territorial integrity],” Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said that a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict will only be possible through the development of a joint program on conflict resolution in frames of the Joint Control Commission, the quadripartite negotiating body which involves the Georgian, South Ossetian, Russian and Russia’s North Ossetian sides.
 

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