topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2280.22 -0.26
DAX 6748.76 -0.08
IBEX 30 8849.3 0.03
CAC 40 3410 -0.05
FTSE 100 5875.93 -0.24
AEX 325.33 -0.20
DJIA 12883.95 0.04
Nasdaq 2915.86 0.41
FTSE MIB 16669.22 1.08
TSX Composite 12521.02 0.07
ASX 4353.4 -0.24
Hang seng 21018.46 1.54
Straits Times 2982.2 0.83
ISEQ 20 502.05 -0.58
You are here: Home News European News Russian president in unexpected visit to Georgian rebel...

European News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


14/07/2009Russian president in unexpected visit to Georgian rebel region

The unannounced visit came less than a month before the anniversary of the war between Russia and Georgia, after which Russia recognised South Ossetia and another rebel region, Abkhazia, as independent states.

Moscow -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday started a controversial first visit to South Ossetia, the Georgian rebel region at the centre of a brief but intense war with Georgia last year.

The unannounced visit came less than a month before the anniversary of the conflict, after which Russia recognised South Ossetia and another rebel region, Abkhazia, as independent states.

Hundreds of locals came out to welcome Medvedev with beer, skewered meat and pies in accordance with local traditions, said a spokeswoman for the South Ossetian separatist authorities.

"How else can you greet the man who saved the republic?" she said.

Kremlin spokeswoman Natalia Timakova told AFP that Medvedev was on a "working visit."

On arrival, Medvedev went into talks with the breakaway republic's leader Eduard Kokoity, telling him that his first visit was meant to strengthen Russia's ties with the region.

"I would like to express my gratitude that you invited me to visit the new country, the new state -- South Ossetia, which emerged as a result of difficult dramatic events and which the Russian people truly supported during a difficult moment," Medvedev said in comments carried by Russian news agencies.

"I believe that it is today's first short visit of the Russian President that will lay the foundation for such contacts (and) friendly relations," he said.

Medvedev said Russia intended to help the region revive its economy and improve social conditions and told Kokoity to focus his attention to priority projects in those areas.

"There's also the need to keep up cooperation in the defence area and the appropriate agreements in this respect," Medvedev added.

Kokoity responded: "The people of South Ossetia are grateful to you for your support, the recognition of our state and, as our elders have already said today, we are appreciative of and grateful for saving our small people."

The mountainous Caucasus region -- still largely in ruins and only recognised as an independent state by Moscow and Nicaragua -- remains a major sticking point in relations between Russia and the West.

Russian forces moved into Georgia on August 8, 2008, to repel a Georgian military attempt to retake South Ossetia, whose breakaway administration had long enjoyed extensive support from Moscow.

Russia has since stationed thousands of soldiers in South Ossetia as well as Abkhazia.

South Ossetia broke off from the rest of Georgia in fighting in the early 1990s and received Russian backing for years before Moscow's recognition of its independence last August.

Georgia insists the region remains an integral part of its territory and is backed by the West.

Anna Smolchenko/AFP/Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Dutch News

Get rid of the word allochtoon

Healthcare in the Netherlands

Insurance making you pay for the past!

Indians in the Netherlands

Attestation of documents from Indian embassy

Dutch News

“Party for Freedom” launches website to report on foreigners

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Problem with Internet Provider

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2012.

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

Expatica offers a whistle-stop tour of life in the modern Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.