On April 22, 2019, Inter-Agency Delegation of the Russian Federation chaired by Rashid Nurgaliyev, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, paid three day working visit to Tskhinvali Region. Visit of the Delegation was the result of the March 6, 2019 meeting held in Moscow between Vladimer Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President of Tskhinvali Region.

Purpose of the visit and composition of the delegation

During the visit Nurgaliyev highlighted two important issues: Reconstruction of “Transkam“ – the only highway connecting Russia and Tskhinvali Region and energy supply for the region. According to Bibilov among various issues discussed with Russian side were Zonkari dam safety, Law Enforcement Agencies cooperation and border-related issues.

The Delegation from Russian side comprised representatives from various Ministries: Northern Caucasus Affairs, Emergency Situations, Transport, Energy, Agriculture and Healthcare, as well as employees of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Federal Agency and the Federal Medical Center for High Medical Technologies.

Cooperation in the field of security

One of the important issues of the meeting between Nurgaliyev and Bibilov was cooperation between Law Enforcement Agencies. According to Nurgaliyev, their objective is to implement agreement reached on Alliance and Integration, linking to the activities of the Information-Coordination Center under the Ministries of Internal Affairs, as well as co-financing expenditures related to upgrading material-technical base and issues of social guarantees and monetary remuneration for the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Sides also discussed the issues of separate units of de facto Ministry of Defence entry to the Russian Armed Forces, pension coverage, technical maintenance and monetary remuneration for military servicemen.

Energy Security

On April 23, in direction of energy security, the guests visited Zonkari dam hydrotechnical infrastructure. Russian specialists found inappropriate small power plant construction due to its low power and electricity high direct expense. According to experts, power plant will not generate more than 6 MW, direct expense will be much higher than the price of the electric power received from Russia. Bibilov asked representative of the Ministry of Energy of Russia assistance in Zonkari dam rehabilitation and drawing up maintenance plan.

“Transkam“ rehabilitation

During the Russian Delegation visit, “Russian Highways“ specialists studied “Transkam“ status. According to preliminary estimation capital repair will cost 1.53 billion RUB and will be completed by the fall of 2020. Due date and contract value have been already published on the Russian state procurement website. The repair works are planned on 36-59 km of the North Ossetia-Alania territory. The repair works completion is scheduled on September 30, 2020, and 20 832 km will be put into operation.

Healthcare and agriculture

Medical assistance provision and control of epidemiological hazards in border districts was discussed during Nurgaliyev's visit. Direction of agriculture development was also discussed at the meeting, especially water supply issue for Tsinagari area villages in Akhalgori district. According to Bibilov, Georgian side blocked Tirifoni irrigation system and consequently these villages do not get enough water.

Bibilov and Nurgaliyev referred to the issue of fighting against Asian Bug. As Nurgaliyev evaluated existing problems might be caused by Lugar Laboratory activities in Tbilisi. As per Nugaraliyev opinion, aforementioned is the element of national security and consequent measures should be in place to combat against it.

Rashid Nurgaliyev and the occupied regions of Georgia

The Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russian Federation, Rashid Nurgaliyev is a rather influential public servant when it comes to the issues of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Important part of his work is connected to the occupied Georgian regions. After the 2008 Russia-Georgia War, Nurgaliyev has been a frequent guest of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, as the Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia, as well as the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council. He also has a function of coordinating, to some extent, the work of Russian law enforcement structures in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Occasionally, he also plays the role of a “crisis manager” during domestic political tensions in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Nurgaliyev not only curates the issues in the competencies of the law enforcement structures, but also the implementation of certain social-economic projects important in the field of security, including the implementation of the program for “developing border districts” existing under the investment programs supporting the social-economic development of Tskhinvali Region.  The construction of roads ongoing in terms of the program is controlled by Nurgaliyev directly. The projects of constructing a strategically important Tskhinvali-Akhlagori road as well as the houses for those living in border villages were implemented in terms of this program. Nurgaliyev often visits Akhalgori district and the de facto border districts of Tskhinvali Region to monitor the implementation of this program.