The Treaty on Alliance and Integration between the Republic of South Ossetia and the Russian Federation was signed on March, 18. Signing of the document drew a wide response. Refusing to recognize the existing reality, Georgia and some western countries claimed the signed Treaty to be a violation of international law. Though, over 80 bilateral agreements, including the framework Treaty on Friendship, Collaboration and Mutual Assistance dated September, 17, 2008 were signed between our countries since August, 2008, not any of them have drawn so much attention from the third countries.

According to the statement made after signing by Leonid Tibilov, the President of the Republic, the Ossetian-Russian relations have deep history: the Ossetian Embassy carried out a diplomatic mission in St. Petersburg in the middle of the XVIII century, when there was neither such independent state as Georgia with its modern borders, nor many of those states which are now criticizing the treaty signed in the Kremlin on March, 18, on the map yet. South Ossetia and Russia are establishing bilateral relations as two sovereign states since August, 26, 2008; the Agreement on the frontier was signed on February, 18.

The Republic of South Ossetia develops the domestic and foreign policy independently, being guided by the interests of its people. Security building in conditions of increasing threats coming from Georgia as well as acceleration in the rates of social and economic development are among prior interests. For this reason special emphasis is made on them in the signed document. It should be noted that the contract isn't at all directed against third countries or their legitimate interests. Moreover, entered into force, the Treaty on Alliance and Integration would automatically strengthen the full system of regional security.