Meeting with Acting President of South Ossetia Marat Kambolov

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Kambolov, first and foremost, allow me to congratulate you. To begin with, on your initial step, namely your premiership: the republic's parliament has expressed its support for your appointment.

Your predecessor, in fact, acted in accordance with his intentions - which we had discussed - and put forward your nomination prior to accepting my proposal to assume the post of Adviser in the Presidential Executive Office.

Alan Gagloyev recommended you. I sincerely trust that you, too, will build upon his achievements, draw upon his experience, and rely on his authority within the republic in the course of your own work.

As regards future prospects, I am confident that your own considerable - indeed, I would say - experience within the federal authorities of the Russian Federation, in ministries and agencies, as well as in academia, will enable you to set the correct priorities for the republic's development and to implement them effectively. I have no doubt in this regard.

I would, of course, wish you every success in the forthcoming electoral events in South Ossetia. I hope that the residents of the republic will lend you their support, and that you, in turn, will prove worthy of their trust.

For our part, we will take every step to support you. Naturally, we understand that a number of issues and challenges remain. Yet I must stress that both you and your family consider the republic your home land, and I am certain that you will devote your utmost energies to its advancement. The republic and the people of South Ossetia - they are, indeed, a special people: warriors, scholars, and workers.

As I have already stated, we will provide every possible support. Today, we have an opportunity to discuss the priorities for South Ossetia's development that are, one might say, self-evident, and perhaps to jointly seek solutions to the tasks confronting the republic.

I am very pleased to see you.

Acting President of South Ossetia Marat Kambolov: Thank you.

First of all, I wish to thank you for your particular regard for the people of South Ossetia.

I must say that the events of August 2008, when the Russian Federation stood in defence of South Ossetia, are something we will never forget. As for our people, their affiliate themselves with the Russian Federation. In every event and in every issue we discuss, the role and significance of the Russian Federation for South Ossetia are fairly important.

I will inform you in detail about the issues I would like to raise.

Vladimir Putin: Let us address the priorities now.

Marat Kambolov: Yes, the priorities.

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