South Ossetia is building economic and political institutions, experts say

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the conflict in South Ossetia, which broke out on 8 August, 2008.

Last night in Tskhinvali several thousand residents gathered on the main square of the city to honor the victims of that war.

The commemorative event was attended by the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov and Prime Minister Rostislav Hugaev, as well as Bishop Georgiy of the Alania Diocese, and the Ambassador of Russia to South Ossetia Elbrus Kargiev.

"Today, we remember those who sacrificed their lives, those who are not with us at the moment, and they did everything for us to live in a free and recognized Ossetia. Today we have gathered to say "thank you" to those who fought side by side with the fallen. Because of their courage, we can go ahead and say thank you to those who came to our aid, the Russian people and those peacekeepers who were here at that time. We must not forget them," RIA Novosti quoted Leonid Tibilov.

The president of the young republic held a special press conference at which he summed up the results of the development of the country in the period following the events of 2008. He noted that a lot has been done to restore South Ossetia. At the same time, Leonid Tibilov acknowledged that not everything went flawlessly.

The editor-in-cheif of Vestnik Kavkaza Alexei Vlasov, commented in the following way: "Tibilov, the current president of South Ossetia, indeed has achieved a lot. Now, when you come to Tskhinvali you see that the streets are repaired and houses that were in a state as though the Georgian aggression was only yesterday are being renovated. A draft of a new building for the University of South Ossetia is being developed, because the old building was virtually destroyed. People are in a good mood, these are signs of hope that the situation will change."