Russia's Medvedev sends congratulations to South Ossetia President Kokoity

[News_Editor]

Russia's Medvedev sends congratulations to South Ossetia President Kokoity

2010-11-02 19:45:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday congratulated South Ossetia President Eduard Kokoity on his birthday, saying the region's development has earned him respect and credibility.

South Ossetia, along with neighboring Abkhazia, consider themselves independent nations but are only recognized by Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Georgia still considers the region as part of its country, as most of the world's governments do.

"South Ossetia’s advancement in building an independent democratic state has earned you respect and credibility," Medvedev said in a birthday message to the leader. "The policies of restoring the economy and social sector pursued under your guidance are supported by the republic’s citizens, while the comprehensive development of alliance between Russia and South Ossetia has been strongly contributing to resolving numerous pressing challenges."

Medvedev further said he is certain that the traditions of friendship and mutual support between Russia and South Ossetia will further strengthen to benefit both nations and in the interest of stability and security in the Caucasus.

Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states two weeks after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008. Georgian forces had attacked South Ossetia in a failed attempt to bring it back under central control.

Hundreds of Russian, Georgian, South Ossetian and Abkhazian soldiers were killed during the conflict, as well as more than 160 civilians. One foreign civilian, Dutch RTL News cameraman Stan Storimans, was also killed when Russian forces carried out an airstrike on the Georgian city of Gori.

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