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Russia believes South Ossetia’s move to suspend referendum decree is ‘sensible’ — MFA

The issue of holding the referendum requires careful analysis, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted

MOSCOW, May 31. /TASS/. Moscow believes the decision by South Ossetian President Alan Gagloyev to suspend a decree of his predecessor Anatoly Bibilov to hold a referendum to join Russia made a lot of sense, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Given that this initiative of ex-president Anatoly Bibilov was not agreed with us, we assess the decision of the new head of state to suspend the said decree of May 13, 2022 "On calling a referendum of the Republic of South Ossetia" as sensible, and being in line with the spirit of an alliance between our countries and the principle of close bilateral coordination on significant issues for Russia and South Ossetia," she said.

The diplomat said that the issue of holding the referendum "requires careful analysis and discussion between the sides." She indicated that Russia is ready to hold consultations with South Ossetian partners in order to discuss ways of further integration between the countries.

Zakharova also said that Moscow has great respect for the desire of the fraternal South Ossetian people to build their own destiny together with Russia. "By recognizing South Ossetia in 2008, Russia assumed responsibility for its security and peaceful future," she said. "Our countries are steadily moving along the path of integration, as provided for by the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia on alliance and integration of March 18, 2015, as well as other bilateral agreements."

On May 30, Gagloyev suspended the decree of the former head of the republic, Bibilov, which called for a referendum to join Russia, until consultations with Moscow were completed.

On May 13, the Central Election Commission of South Ossetia approved and sent to former President Bibilov a package of documents regarding the referendum on the republic's accession to Russia. He issued a decree to call the vote for July 17. Bibilov had said on March 30 that South Ossetia would take legal steps to join Russia.

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