Politics

Georgia’s breakaway region eyes becoming part of Russia: local official

South Ossetia, a region that broke away from Georgia and calls itself an independent state, has discussed becoming part of Russia with Moscow officials, Russian news agency RIA cited the head of South Ossetia’s parliament as saying on Sunday.

After Russian troops defeated a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war in 2008, Russia recognized South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent states. Syria, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Nauru acknowledged their independence as well.

However, the West accused Russia of effectively annexing Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which account for one-fifth of Georgia’s territory, and Tbilisi wants them back.

The head of South Ossetia's parliament, Alan Alborov, responded to a question regarding the potential for a referendum on joining Russia by saying, “We are discussing all these issues in close coordination with Russia, taking into account our bilateral relations and treaties,” according to RIA.

“When we come to this idea together with the Russian Federation [about joining the Russian Federation], we will do it,” RIA quoted Alborov as saying

The Russian-backed leader of South Ossetia, Alan Gagloev, expressed hope last year that the region could be formally incorporated into Russia, said RIA.

Following a bloody war in 1991–1992, which claimed thousands of lives, South Ossetia seceded from Georgia and remains closely connected to North Ossetia, a neighboring region of Russia.

The majority of South Ossetians speak a language related to Farsi and are ethnically different from Georgians. Almost all of the population has accepted Russian passports. They also use the Russian ruble as their currency and the economy is dependent on Russia.
Source: Reuters
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