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South Ossetian president-elect says referendum moves to be aimed at observing rule of law

On May 13 incumbent leader Anatoly Bibilov signed a decree setting the referendum for July 17

TSKHINVAL, May 14. /TASS/. Alan Gagloyev, who won the presidential election in South Ossetia, said his actions on a referendum on the republic’s accession to Russia will be aimed at observing international legal rules, holding consultations and implementing agreements with Moscow.

"My actions related to the announced referendum will be aimed at observing international legal rules, holding consultations and implementing agreements with the Russian Federation," he told TASS.

"As a reliable strategic partner of the Russian Federation and an adequate side of contractual relations the Republic of South Ossetia is obliged to fulfill Article 1 of Treaty with the Russian Federation on alliance and integration. It says that "the contracting parties pursue coordinated foreign policy that suggests mutual consideration of interests of contracting parties in various areas of cooperation, inform each other on related actions," Gagloyev said.

On Friday the republic’s Central Election Commission approved and submitted to South Ossetia’s incumbent leader Anatoly Bibilov a package of documents concerning the referendum on joining Russia. The president signed a decree setting the referendum for July 17. Bibilov said on March 30 South Ossetia would take legal steps to join Russia. Alan Gagloyev said earlier in an interview with TASS that a referendum on his country’s accession to Russia should be organized when Moscow sends a signal it is time for that.

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