Russia is South Ossetia's strategic partner, the republic's president says

The President of the Georgian breakaway republic of South Ossetia, Leonid Tibilov, says Russia is his country's strategic partner. The president said so to reporters today during his official visit to Russia.

Tibilov also said that five years ago, on 26 August 2008, the South Ossetian people achieved freedom, for which they had fought many years.

He also noted that South Ossetia has no illusions about Georgia and knows for certain that the country's policy towards the republic will not change, no matter who is in power.

South Ossetia will never become a part of Georgia again, Tibilov says.

The republic's authorities are working really hard to strengthen South Ossetia's statehood and independence and to enhance the republic's integration with Russia, Tibilov says.