South Ossetia, which Georgia sees as its territory but under Russian control, canceled the referendum it planned to hold on 17 July on accession to Russia.
In a decree issued on Monday, ruling Alan Gagloyev explained the reason for canceling the referendum planned by his predecessor was “uncertainties about the legal consequences”. The decree stated that “a unilateral referendum decision cannot be accepted on issues that also affect the legitimate rights and interests of the Russian Federation.”
The referendum was planned by the former leader of the region, Anatoly Bibilov. However, in the internationally unrecognized presidential elections held at the beginning of May, Bibilov lost to his rival Alan Gagloyev. Although Gagloyev expressed his willingness to join Russia, he described the referendum decision as “premature”.
Moscow, which was exposed to international pressure due to the occupation of Ukraine, did not approach the referendum warmly due to the timing, and many Russian politicians and diplomats expressed their reservations on this issue.
Gagloyev, who won the elections in May, plans to discuss with Moscow the steps to be taken for the integration of the region into Russia.
In the Russian-Georgian war in 2008, Georgia completely lost control of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia sent thousands of soldiers to the region as a protector state and recognized the two regions that declared their independence from Georgia as independent states. Both regions are dependent on Russia politically, financially and militarily.
dpa, AFP / HT,BO