TSKHINVAL. April 24 (Interfax) - The leadership of South Ossetia will continue to pursue an active foreign policy aimed at broadening contacts with other countries, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov said at a press conference in Tskhinval.
He praised the productive work that the South Ossetian Foreign Ministry, the South Ossetian embassy in Moscow, and other foreign policy organizations are doing in this respect.
Bibilov mentioned his recent official visit to Republika Srpska among the main events of South Ossetia's foreign policy.
"We have in fact broken open a window to Europe, as no South Ossetian leader had ever visited a European state before. My official visit to Republika Srpska and my meeting with President Milorad Dodik - all of this promotes a broader understanding of who the Ossetians are, what their history is, and what goals and objectives they have," Bibilov said.
He also said that the fact that representatives of Nauru defend South Ossetia's interests at the UN is worth a great deal.
Bibilov also mentioned the active involvement of South Ossetian representatives in the work of various international forums to promote ties, including economic ones, with foreign countries.
He said the development of cooperation with Syria is among the promising avenues of South Ossetia's foreign policy.
"I invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to visit South Ossetia on the 10th anniversary of its recognition, and I am sure a Syrian delegation will come to us," he said.
South Ossetia's foreign policy is certainly oriented toward Russia, "our main strategic partner, which ensures security today," Bibilov said.
"We will make our trips and conduct all our political dialogues with other countries within the framework of this partnership and with the understanding of our responsibility to the South Ossetian and Russian peoples," he said.
In assessing the efficiency of the Geneva discussions, Bibilov said Georgia's unconstructive position and unwillingness to sign an agreement on the non-use of force prevent the parties from making progress.
"It would be good if our relations were constructive, if Georgia changed its rhetoric with regard to South Ossetia, and if Georgia signed a memorandum on the non-use of force," he said.