Russia's decision in August 2008 to protect South Ossetia from Georgian troops was right, Akhsar Dzhioev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic, told RIA Novosti.
The Foreign Minister has reminded that in August 2008, while the whole world was watching the opening of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, the Georgian army, trained according to NATO standards, tried to occupy South Ossetia.
"Thanks to the courage and steadfastness of Russian and Ossetian peacekeepers, military personnel and militias, South Ossetia survived. The only right decision of the leadership of the Russian Federation - to force the aggressor to peace and recognize the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia - became the key to its stable development and confidence in a peaceful future. Russia is reliable guarantor of peace and security of South Ossetia," the Minister said.
Dzhioev has noted that over the past years a solid bilateral contractual and legal framework has been formed between Russia and South Ossetia, covering all areas of interaction - defense, foreign policy, law enforcement, socio-economic, cultural, etc. "Colossal work has been carried out to restore the Republic's infrastructure, completely destroyed by the Georgian aggression, projects for the socio-economic development of South Ossetia are being implemented as part of the investment program," he stressed.
On the night of August 8, 2008, Georgia fired on South Ossetia from Grad multiple rocket launchers; Georgian troops attacked the Republic and destroyed Tskhinval. Russia, protecting the residents of South Ossetia, many of whom had become Russian citizens sent troops into the Republic and, after five days of hostilities, ousted the Georgian military from the region.
On August 26, 2008 Moscow recognized the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that the recognition of the independence of the two republics reflects the existing realities and is not subject to revision.
