Russia’s Putin Meets De Facto South Ossetia ‘President’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted Anatoly Bibilov, newly elected president of Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia (Tskhinvali).

Tskhivali state-led news agency PEC reports that the parties discussed political, economic, and social issues.

"I would like to congratulate you on the results of the elections. I know that you are an advocate of development of full-fledged relations with Russia," Putin told Bibilov.

Putin repeated that Russia and South Ossetia are now implementing an agreement on strategic partnership and expressed hope that under the leadership of Bibilov South Ossetia will do its best to fulfill the ‘treaty’.

“We will develop our investment activities in South Ossetia. I am talking about restoration of the republic’s infrastructure and creation of conditions for economic growth," Putin said.

After the meeting Bibilov told media that relations of alliance and integration ties with Russia are of crucial, key importance for ensuring security and socio-economic development of South Ossetia.

“The republic will strictly follow the agreements with Russia, which have been worked out over all the years of cooperation,” he added.

Anatoly Bibilov is the former Speaker of South Ossetia’s parliament. He won the April 9 presidential elections with 54.8 percent of votes.

Bibilov is an active supporter of South Ossetia’s joining Russia and the ‘reunification of the Ossetian people.’

Thea Morrison

Photo source: cominf.org