Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak went to South Ossetia on a working visit. He met with President of South Ossetia Alan Gagloyev and also co-chaired the 22^nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Socioeconomic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia. As part of his visit, Alexander Novak attended the opening ceremony for a new residential area in Tskhinval. 

The commission meeting was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of South Ossetia, Konstantin Dzhussoyev, as well as Russian and South Ossetian officials, including those from the Ministry for Economic Development, the Finance Ministry, the Energy Ministry and the Federal Customs Service. 

“This year is a special one as precisely 15 years ago a most important event took place, determining the future of the South Ossetian people: Russia officially recognised the independence of the republic,” said Alexander Novak. “Since then, South Ossetia has done a lot to grow as a democratic, modern and economically independent country. However, much work still lies ahead. Despite the global geopolitical changes that are having negative effects on the macroeconomic situation, I want to assure you that the support Russia is giving to fraternal South Ossetia in the areas of security, defence and in overall development remains invariable.”

The parties discussed cooperation in energy, including the progress in the implementation of the roadmap for optimising the energy supply for South Ossetia, as well as the parameters of and conditions for carrying out a government programme, The Socioeconomic Development of the Republic of South Ossetia in 2022-2025, something that will allow the republic to boost its revenues. The discussion on the integration process in the customs and taxation areas is seen as an important part of the talks. 

Before the end of the year, South Ossetia plans to ratify the documents on introducing the uniform customs tariff rates that are effective in the Eurasian Economic Union and the customs duty rates effective in Russia.

The 23^rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Socioeconomic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and South Ossetia is scheduled to take place in Moscow in the first half of 2024.