Members of the South Ossetian Parliament took part in the 12th Baltic Forum of Compatriots in St. Petersburg.
As reported by the press service of the Parliament, the Republic was represented at the event by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-parliamentary Relations Zaza Driaev and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Policy, Culture, Religion and Media Ruslan Khubezhty.
The Forum discussed current issues of assisting compatriots in realizing their civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights and freedoms.
In addition, were discussed the issues of resettlement of compatriots to Russia and the formation of the objective information space, as well as strengthening the position of the Russian language and Russian culture abroad.
"The key issues of the discussions included the resettlement of compatriots to Russia, support for individuals persecuted for their loyalty to the country, the development of volunteer initiatives and the formation of the objective information space," the press service has noted.
The participants also emphasized the importance of preparing for the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
At the Forum, Zaza Driaev made a report, expressing gratitude to the organizers for the invitation to take part in its work.
"South Ossetia readily responds to the invitation to take part in the events dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. The memory of it is alive in our people and is passed down from generation to generation. Such events and forums are especially important in our time, when we are all anxiously observing attempts to rewrite history against the backdrop of the revived neo-Nazism. The history of the Great Patriotic War is important as an example of the unity and heroism of the Soviet people, who were able to defeat the enemy and save the world from fascism, paying a high price, which today the sometimes ungrateful world does not want to remember," the parliamentarian has noted.
Zaza Driaev has also emphasized that the battle for Leningrad was the longest during the Great Patriotic War.
"It has forever gone down in history as a shining example of courage, fortitude and patriotism. Over two thousand representatives of Ossetia were fighting in the battles on the Leningrad, Karelian and Volkhov fronts, nine of whom were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The remains of 576 natives of Ossetia who died defending the besieged Leningrad rest in the Neva Land," Driaev said.
He has noted with regret that the "brown plague" is once again gaining strength, and today, as in the Great Patriotic War, the volunteers from South Ossetia are actively participating in the special military operation in Ukraine, fighting side by side with the Russian soldiers on the front lines of the war against the neo-Nazism.
"According to official data, the number of the Ossetian volunteers is almost 2,000 soldiers. And again, we need one victory for all. I want to emphasize the importance of any events dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. The truth must break through the curtain of lies that is being erected. This is important for new generations not only in the post-Soviet space, but throughout the world," Zaza Driaev concluded and wished the Forum participants the fruitful work.
During the meeting of the South Ossetian parliamentarians with colleagues from the Legislative Assembly of the Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg, the parties also discussed the development of inter-parliamentary ties between then legislative bodies.
The annual holding of the Forum is considered extremely important for strengthening ties between then compatriots and preserving common values.
