President of South Ossetia: Future treaty should be considered regarding joining Russia

President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov has suggested that a future treaty with Russia should be considered within a range from the republic’s joining Russia to other forms presently existing in the world.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Tibilov said that there are lots of forms of political co-existence of nations. «So, I think we will shortly get an answer to this question,” he said.

According to the South Ossetian president, there already are a number of initiatives on the future treaty with Russia. «We have conducted preliminary consultations with our Russian colleagues, particularly, the head of the Russian Presidential Administration’s Directorate for Cooperation with the CIS Countries, Abkhazia and South Ossetia Oleg Govorun,” Tibilov said.

According to Res News Agency, during their meeting, Tibilov and Govorun discussed issues concerning South Ossetia’s defense capacity and security as well as problems regarding police, medicine, education, culture and language. «The future treaty will also regulate border regime between Russia and South Ossetia. We hope Russia will agree to remove the checkpoint in Nizhny Zaramag,” Tibilov said.

He said that his republic is still facing certain threats and challenges. «Though having changed its government, Georgia has changed nothing in its aggressive policy and is actively re-equipping its armed forces. It still regards South Ossetia and Abkhazia as potential targets. So, as President, I am obliged to do my best to ensure full security for our future generations,” Tibilov said.

He is ready to discuss a draft of the treaty with the parliament and the people and hopes that they will come to terms soon and will not delay signing of the document.

The South Ossetian president added that the document should be ready for signing by early 2015.

It was the initiative of the leader of United Ossetia Party Anatoly Bibilov to organize a referendum on reunification of South and North Ossetias and their accession to Russia.

Abkhazia has already signed a treaty with Russia. Its initial version was entitled «On Alliance and Integration,” while the final Abkhazian version says «On Alliance and Strategic Partnership.”