Eduard Kokoity: South Ossetia to create union state with Russia

South Ossetia sees itself as an independent international entity; however, it will strive to create a union state with Russia, said its president Eduard Kokoity.

"We are building an independent state, where people will ever remember the invaluable assistance provided to us by the Russian Federation, and, undoubtedly, we will strive to create a union state with it. For us, Russia has always been and remains a key strategic partner and ally," stressed Eduard Kokoity.

The President emphasized that Russia had fulfilled its obligations to render assistance to South Ossetia that had been ruined "not during five days of combat operations in August 2008, but during the eighteen years of confrontation with Georgia".

In accordance with the existing international agreements, Russia is creating all conditions for the development and strengthening of South Ossetia's independence, the official website of the President of South Ossetia quotes Eduard Kokoity's speech during the interview to the Japanese newspaper "Mainichi".

The South-Ossetian leader earlier spoke for joining the Union of Russia and Belarus. The "Caucasian Knot" earlier reported, Eduard Kokoity said about that, in particular, at the end of August 2009, explaining at the same time, that he were not speaking for the entry into the Russian Federation. And about a month before that speech Mr Kokoity did not rule out the entry of South Ossetia into Russia.