Sergei Lavrov’s Visit in Tskhinvali Region

On September 15, 2008, soon after the end of the 2008 Russia-Georgia War, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, visited Tskhinvali Region. This was Lavrov’s first visit to Tskhinvali after the August 26, 2008 Russian recognition of the independence of Tskhinvali Region. Before that, on September 9, diplomatic relations were established between Russia and Tskhinvali Region. Lavrov arrived in Tskhinvali from Sokhumi and his visit lasted several hours. Lavrov’s delegation included his Deputy, Curator of Post-Soviet States, Gregori Karasin, Director of the 4th CIS Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Andrei Kelin, Ministry’s official representative, Andrei Nesterenko and Ambassador at Large, Yuri Popov.

Lavrov met with the de factor leader of Tskhinvali Region, Eduard Kokoiti, with whom he discussed the issue of opening the Embassy of Russia in Tskhinvali. Before the negotiations, Kokoiti organized a small tour of the government building for Lavrov. The negotiations took place in the meeting room, on the 8th floor, which had suffered the least during the war. The meeting was closed. Apart from Kokoiti, Lavrov also met the former head of Joint Peacekeeping Forces operating before the 2008 War, Marat Kulakhmetov and the Head of the OSCE mission who arrived from Tbilisi. 

Lavrov made numerous statements during his visit to Tskhinvali:

• Russia and Tskhinvali Region plan to form relations like allied states. 
• Firing points were organized in the Georgian enclaves of Tskhinvali Region before the war, in order to shoot towards Trans-Caucasian motorway. Several days before the beginning of military action, women and children left villages in Georgian enclaves. There is a suspicion that the men remaining there were being armed. There are facts confirming that special reinforced points were organized within the enclaves, with the purpose of opening fire. 
• During the war, both sides resorted to excessive action; however, this was war and all sides have their own truth (said Lavrov about the demolition of Georgian enclaves in Tskhinvali Region). 
• Moscow has information that Georgia is planning terrorist acts and provocations towards Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. According to some data, several hundred bandits were released from Georgian prisons some time ago, with the obligation of undertaking such provocations and terrorist acts. 

About the placement of the employees of the Russian “Embassy” in Tskhinvali, Lavrov stated that Moscow will find a way to temporarily place employees so that the population of Tskhinvali Region is not hurt. According to him, it will be more difficult to organize Russian “Embassy” in Tskhinvali Region, as compared to Abkhazia. 

The main result of Lavrov’s two-day visit to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali was making a statement about signing basic agreement for cooperation and mutual assistance in the nearest future. Lavrov also stated about signing the whole series of agreements for cooperation in economic, social, military and maritime fields. 

Lavrov’s first visit to Tskhinvali Region had quick results in the diplomatic field. First “Ambassador” of Russia to Tskhinvali Region, Elbrus Kargiev, was appointed on September 25, 2008. Russian “Embassy” to Tskhinvali Region started working in April 2009.