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Mr Bibilov, ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues,

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We are happy to welcome President of the Republic of South Ossetia 

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Anatoly Bibilov and his delegation.

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We have just had talks where we discussed various aspects of bilateral 

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cooperation and exchanged views on current regional problems.

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South Ossetia is an important partner and ally of Russia.

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The cooperation between our counties is based on the strong foundation 

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of friendship and neighbourliness.

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Russia supports South Ossetia in becoming a sovereign democratic state,

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as it supports its security.

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We also try to promote the socio-economic development 

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of the country in every way we can.

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Our talks today were mostly dedicated to trade and investment issues 

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as well as cooperation in the social sector.

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Russia is South Ossetia’s main foreign trade partner.

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Bilateral trade has grown significantly this year.

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In January-September it grew by almost 50 percent compared with 

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the same period last year, with exports to Russia growing 

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by more than a quarter.

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Mr Bibilov and I have given instructions to the Intergovernmental 

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Commission to take additional measures to stimulate 

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bilateral exports and imports.

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The implementation of the investment programme 

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for 2015–2017 was also discussed in detail.

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Let me remind you that Russia allocated 7.

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6 billion rubles for its implementation.

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These funds were directed to dozens of vital projects for the republic,

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including the reconstruction and modernisation of transport and social 

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infrastructure and the improvement of the social protection of people.

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In this context, I would like to note the agreement just signed,

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under which Russian citizens residing in South Ossetia will be able 

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to use the Russian system of general medical insurance.

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Funds from the investment programme are used for the improvement 

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of the capital of the republic,

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Tskhinval. This concerns housing construction and schools.

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Recently, a modern children's hospital was opened.

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I would like to emphasise that Russia will continue to allocate funds 

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for the development of the republic.

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A new investment programme for 2018–

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2019 has already been developed,

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to be approved shortly.

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In addition, we have developed a special package of concessional 

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lending for the population and enterprises of South Ossetia totalling 

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over 1 billion rubles.

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Funds are allocated primarily to improve 

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the agro-industrial sector and support small businesses.

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Russia provides assistance in training personnel for the republic,

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including in departmental educational institutions.

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At the moment, over 600 citizens of South Ossetia study at Russian 

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universities, with 400 of them studying free of charge, that is,

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at the expense of the federal budget of the Russian Federation.

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Russian regions play a significant role in the economic 

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development of South Ossetia.

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Eleven regions of the Russian Federation entered into cooperation 

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agreements with the republic, and together with South Ossetian 

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partners, projects are implemented in such areas 

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as industry and agriculture.

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Of course, we exchanged views on current regional issues,

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as I have already said.

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We agreed to coordinate more closely steps to confront challenges 

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and threats to security in the South Caucasus,

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and to continue the most robust cooperation possible in the fight 

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against terrorism and organised crime.

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In conclusion, I would like to thank the President of South Ossetia,

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all our South Ossetian colleagues and friends 

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for a meaningful and good conversation.

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I am confident that the agreements reached today will contribute 

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to bolstering relations between Russia and South Ossetia and will serve 

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to develop and strengthen the republic.

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Thank you very much.

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Colleagues, I think that President Putin has spoken in sufficient 

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detail about the content of our talks; I have nothing to add in general.

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The only thing I can add is that, during this period,

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we have signed about 100 additional agreements between the Russian 

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Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia.

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Currently there are several other major agreements in our ministries,

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which will also be signed.

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They regard simplifying the procedure of obtaining Russian citizenship 

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and South Ossetian citizens residing in Russia without time limits.

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There are many agreements that will promote the socio-economic 

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development of the Republic of South Ossetia.

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For my part, I would like to say that South Ossetia is taking serious 

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steps to grow its revenues.

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A large role, of course, is played by the investment programme 

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for socio-economic development,

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which is now being implemented in South Ossetia.

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Facilities are already operating that will soon generate 

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revenue for the state budget.

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Considering all this, we cannot help but be pleased with 

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the progressive development of the Republic of South 

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Ossetia and our bilateral relations.

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Thank you very much, Mr Putin.