The separatist region of South Ossetia, which broke away from Georgia and defines itself as independent, has discussed with representatives of Moscow the possibility of becoming part of Russia, Reuters reported, citing a statement by the speaker of South Ossetia’s parliament.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent states in 2008 after Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war in 2008. Their independence was also recognized by Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria.
However, the West has accused Russia of effectively annexing Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a fifth of Georgia’s territory, and Tbilisi wants the two regions back, Reuters recalls.
“We are discussing all these issues in close coordination with Russia, taking into account our bilateral relations and treaties,” Alan Alborov, speaker of South Ossetia’s parliament, told Russian news agency RIA in response to a question about the possibility of holding a referendum on joining Russia. “When together with the Russian Federation we come to this idea (of joining the Russian Federation), we will do it,” he added.
The Russian-backed leader of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, last year expressed hope that the region could be officially included in Russia, RIA recalls.
South Ossetia broke away from Georgian rule during a 1991-1992 war that left several thousand dead. The region maintains close ties with the neighboring Russian region of North Ossetia. The majority of South Ossetians are ethnically different from Georgians and speak their own language, related to Farsi, Reuters recalls. Almost the entire population has received Russian passports, uses the Russian ruble as its currency, and the economy is dependent on Russia.
