De-facto Government of South Ossetia Opens New Checkpoint

De-facto regime of the occupied region of South Ossetia plans to open a so-called new border crossing to make it easier for relatives to keep contact - Democracy and Freedom Watch reports.

According to ‘Sputnik Ossetia’ this will be the fourth border crossing “between the breakaway area and Georgia proper” and will connect the villages of Khelchua and Zardiantkari, the latter being on Georgian-controlled territory.

The decision, reportedly made at a session of the de-facto cabinet of ministers, points out that two of the existing crossing points are in the Java region and one in Akhalgori stating “the Ossetian media outlet writes that several Ossetian families are living in Zardiantkari village and there was also a request from locals in Khelchua to have a crossing point there.”

De-facto president of the occupied region Leonid Tibilov commented that “it is important to consider the family ties of people who live on opposite sides of the border. These are our citizens, and our duty [is] to care for their well-being.”

The Georgian government has not yet been informed about the decision. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, Deputy Minister of Reconciliation and Civic Equality explained that the matter was not included in the agenda for the previous round of Geneva Talks.

According to Tsikhelashvili, the government is still trying to check the information and find out what kind of checkpoint is going to be opened.

It is also reported that the de-facto government is considering ‘re-organizing’ the border zone, which will include moving several settlements away from barbed wire zones in certain sections, but the cabinet of ministers have not discussed the issue yet.