A group of Russian and South Ossetian journalists have visited the day before the districts of South Ossetia. The trip was organized as part of a press tour of the Republic organized for Russian journalists.
First of all, the journalists visited a sector of the state border of South Ossetia and Georgia between the settlements Argvis (South Ossetia) and Ditsi (Georgia).
The journalists were accompanied by Deputy Chief of the KGB Border Service of South Ossetia Robert Gazzaev who acquainted them with the work on the engineering infrastructure of the state border.
"The frontier is delimited in accordance with the maps of the former Soviet Union, where is clearly marked the administrative borderline of South Ossetian autonomous region - said Gazzaev. - According to the law of the Republic of South Ossetia, the state border between the Republic of South Ossetia and Georgia corresponds to the borderline of the former autonomous region within the Soviet Union."
According to Gazzaev, detention of trespassers occurs almost daily.
"Often the violation of the state border takes place while grazing or land cultivating in the territory of South Ossetia. There is also a deliberate penetration ", - said Gazzaev.
The issues of delimitation and demarcation of the state border are addressed unilaterally by the South Ossetian side, as Georgia refuses to discuss such matters.
Then media representatives visited the military training ground "Dzartsem" in Tskhinval district, where they witnessed the actions of reconnaissance patrol of the Armed Forces of the Republic.
The trip was continued by visiting the Russian military town of the 4th military base stationed in Dzau district of the Republic. Media representatives met by the base commander, Major-General Alexander Shushukin learned the conditions of the serviceman, including a ninth company, consisted of the residents of South Ossetia.
"The guys have been appropriately selected - said Shushukin. - Here they go through combat training, supervise the border at certain outposts. "
In the territory of the military town was held a meeting of journalists with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev.
" I `ve been here for five years after the war in August 2008, and I can say that people of South Ossetia do not more experience fear and anxiety about the future and security, - the ambassador said during the conversation. - After 20 years of brutal war that was fought in South Ossetia in different forms and using different methods, infinite firing, resulting in the deaths of the local population, today's peace is invaluable. Children, psychologically traumatized over the years, now live in a peaceful environment."
For five years after Russia`s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia, in the Republic has been carried out the work aimed at the speedy restoration of economic and social infrastructure destroyed by the Georgian aggression.
"And these problems are largely solved - Russian diplomat said. - In 2007, in the Republic were 52 pre-school institutions, but now there are 55, then there were about 60 schools, now - 59, one or two more are scheduled to be opened. Thus, it has been restored all pre-schools and secondary schools. "
According to Kargiev, a variety of problems are resolved in social sphere.
"There was laid a gas pipeline. In Tskhinval were reconstructed the Republican Clinical Hospital, clinics. In Leningor district was built a large hospital and so on. "
The Ambassador has noted that substantial proportion of the population of the Republic works in the public sector.
"On the basis of the direct subsidizing of the budget of South Ossetia by Russia all employees of the state institutions are constantly paid a salary, pensioners receive a pension - said Kargiev. - At the same time, we all understand that the Republic cannot be indefinitely subsidized by Russia. Comprehensive plan for restoration of the Republic in 2010 was almost completed, now we are working for the future. A couple of days ago, was held the eighth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of South Ossetia and Russia, where we have carefully considered and practically approved the medium-term development program for 2014-2016 and the development strategy of the Republic until 2030. It incorporated the development of industry, agriculture and the economy in general. "
The ambassador has also noted that, since 2008, funding mechanisms in South Ossetia have been changed three times.
"The current leadership is aiming at ensuring the process of drawing funds to be transparent and civilized, - said the ambassador. - We have come to a definite understanding of how the funds should be transferred to the Republic, how should be carried out the projects approval, the monthly reporting to the Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of Finance of Russia. "
The diplomat appreciated the activities of the working groups of the ministries and agencies of South Ossetia and Russia, which had prepared 76 bills for the year.
After the press conference with the Ambassador the reporters communicated with the Russian servicemen.
The press tour for Russian journalists will continue by visiting the other districts of South Ossetia.
