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Normal border crossing regime between S.Ossetia, Georgia possible under treaty — minister

The security level on the border with Georgia has considerably increased since 2008, South Ossetian Foreign Minister David Sanakoyev admits

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Establishment of a normal border crossing regime between South Ossetia and Georgia is only possible after the countries sign a relevant treaty, South Ossetian Foreign Minister David Sanakoyev said Wednesday.

"As of today, we lack a border crossing regime with Georgia," Sanakoyev said. "There are exceptions for residents of certain villages in line with a government resolution. We have turned to the Georgian side many times with a proposal to sign a border treaty similar to one that was signed today with the Russian Federation."

"But Georgian counterparts are not ready for that step, so we are acting unilaterally. The border is being equipped and reinforced, this work has not been completed yet, but there are fewer cases when border is illegally crossed," he said.

"We can only go over to the next phase after relevant steps are made in contacts with Georgia, including the signing of a border treaty," Sanakoyev said.

He said the security level on the border with Georgia has considerably increased since 2008.

Russia and Georgia cut off diplomatic ties after Moscow recognized as independent two Georgian breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The recognition followed Georgia's attack on South Ossetia that entailed Russia's peacemaking operation in August 2008.