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Russia’s treaty with South Ossetia aimed at ensuring republic’s security — diplomat

The treaty envisages the establishment of a common defense and security space, free border crossing, integration of customs agencies and police cooperation

© ITAR-TASS/Sergey Uzakov

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. The treaty on allied relations between Russia and South Ossetia is envisaged to ensure security of the republic and strengthen its international positions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told the country’s lawmakers on Friday.

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on Friday ratified the treaty submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in late May. The document was backed by a total of 414 MPs, with only one abstention.

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The treaty, signed on March 18 in Moscow by the leaders of Russia and South Ossetia, envisages the establishment of a common defense and security space, free border crossing, integration of customs agencies, police cooperation, simplified procedures for obtaining the Russian citizenship and a social component, in particular increases of pensions.

"The treaty comes in elaboration of a vast contractual legal framework with the friendly nation of South Ossetia, which includes 83 documents," Karasin said. "The new document formalizes the intention of the sides to establish close cooperation step-by-step in the economic and humanitarian sphere and also in the issues of defence and security," he said.

The agreement fully meets Russia’s national interests and is in line with Moscow’s stance towards active effort to help South Ossetia become a modern and democratic state, strengthen its international positions, ensure security and social and economic restoration of the republic, the senior diplomat said.

The treaty has been concluded for the term of 25 years with possible extension for the following ten-year periods.

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Foreign policy South Ossetia

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