South Ossetia’s de-facto leader wants to join Russia

De-facto leader of Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali’s (South Ossetia) region, Leonid Tibilov, believes there is a possibility the breakaway region’s accession into Russia will be considered in the proposed integration treaty between Moscow and Tskhinvali.

Tibilov told rec.ru, the news agency of the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, that the new treaty on ‘Alliance and Partnership’ would consider the direct accession of Tskhinvali as well as other international rules of joining the Russian Federation.

"I came up with an initiative to discuss direct accession of Tskhinvali into the Russian Federation in the future agreement than [possible] other forms of integration. There are various forms of political co-existence of the countries. I believe we will get an answer to our offer in the nearest future,” Tibilov said.

In November, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and the leader of Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region Raul Khajimba signed a new treaty between Moscow and Sokhumi on ‘Alliance and Strategic Partnership’. Since then South Ossetia’s leader also expressed interest in signing a similar agreement with Russia.

The treaty with Abkhazia has been condemned by Georgia and the international community, but Russian officials rejected accusations that newly signed alliance treaty between Moscow and Sokhumi was a step towards the annexation of Georgia's breakaway regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.

Meanwhile, in the interview Tibilov stated a number of proposals have already been considered in the draft. "[We] have already had a consultation with Russian officials including Oleg Govorun, who is the head of the Presidential Directorate for Social and Economic Cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States Member Countries (CIS), the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia.”

He also confirmed that during the discussions with Russian officials, topics like security cooperation, development of law enforcement agencies, culture, education and healthcare were high on the agenda.

Official Tbilisi condemns Russian-Tskhinvali draft treaty

Georgia’s Foreign Ministry believes the draft treaty on ‘Alliance and Partnership’ between Moscow and Tskhinvali is a step forward to the annexation of Georgia’s territories.

Georgia’s Foreign Minister’s Speaker Davit Kereselidze was confident the document was illegal and it would not be recognised by the international society.

"Official Tbilisi condemns the proposed treaty between Russia and Tskhinvali and undermines the security and stability of the region. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry has already started negotiations both in bilateral and multilateral formats with our partners,” Kereselidze said at a special press conference today.

"This is a destructive action,” he said.

Russia recognised the independence of Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvlai after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.