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Georgia unlikely to revise its policy towards South Ossetia, says South Ossetian president

Anatoly Bibilov believes that the policy would not depend on the outcome of the elections

South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov Valentin Sprinchak/TASS

South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov

© Valentin Sprinchak/TASS

MOSCOW, November 28. /TASS/. It is highly improbable that Georgia will change its policy towards South Ossetia after the presidential election, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov told TASS on Wednesday.

The runoff presidential election is held in Georgia on Wednesday. Independent candidate Salome Zurabishvili backed by the ruling Georgian Dream political party and candidate from the United National Movement opposition party (the party of ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili's supporters) and ten allied organizations Grigol Vashadze take part in it.

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"Of course, we are closely following (the election). Actually, it makes no difference to us whatsoever who will win Georgia’s presidential election. We realize that this will not affect relations between Georgia and South Ossetia. I do not think that, after coming to power, Zurabashvili or Vashadze will immediately begin saying that they need to recognize South Ossetia or sign a memorandum on the non-use of force. As things stand now, none of them has the desire to mend relations with South Ossetia," Bibilov said.

He did not rule out that some statements could be made by the new Georgian leadership after the election. "However, we expect nothing new from either of the candidates. We fully rely on our own capabilities and Russia’s support," he stressed.

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Georgia South Ossetia

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