TSKHINVAL, November 12. /TASS/. South Ossetia, which recognized the independence of self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk republics (LPR and DPR) in June, plans to establish diplomatic relations with them, President Leonid Tibilov said on Wednesday.
“South Ossetia’s Foreign Ministry has received my clear instructions to establish diplomatic and other relations with these states,” President Tibilov told local TV channels.
The leader said by acknowledging the independence of DPR and LPR, South Ossetia has asserted itself on the international arena as “an independent state with its own view of political processes in the world.”
South Ossetia has not ended its efforts to be recognized as an independent state by the rest of the world. “Our Foreign Ministry is working in this direction with many countries, including in Latin America and Africa,” he said.
South Ossetia, which declared independence from Georgia in 1990, was recognized as independent by Russia, as well as Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru, in the wake of the five-day August 2008 war.
The LPR and DPR have also asked Russia and other countries to recognize their independence following a self-determination referendum in May. On November 2, both republics elected their leaders. Moscow later said it “respected” the vote.