All intergovernmental agreements and decisions that Russia makes are aimed at supporting South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the State Duma Deputy, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Artem Turov said during the video press conference Moscow-Sukhum-Tskhinval.
The video conference discussed the entry into force of the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship for citizens of these republics.
"For us, this is the extremely important event, since the issue of simplified acquisition of Russian citizenship has been repeatedly raised by our colleagues and compatriots living in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We can only sincerely thank the President of the country," the deputy has noted.
He has clarified that the new agreement removes the requirement for permanent residence in the Russian Federation to acquire the citizenship.
In addition, procedural barriers such as passing exams in the Russian language, history and the basics of Russian legislation may be lifted for citizens of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
"Citizens of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are closely integrated with Russia. In recent years, the countries have been actively cooperating in the economic, humanitarian, security and defense sectors. Therefore, procedural requirements can be lifted," Turov has emphasized.
The parliamentarian has also noted that this decision is intended to provide equal conditions for receiving social services and open up additional opportunities to improve the quality of life of residents of the two republics, especially for that part of the population that does not yet have Russian citizenship (estimated at about 10% of the total population).
Turov has assured that Russia has been consistently addressing the issue of supporting citizens of South Ossetia and Abkhazia since they gained independence, and the new decision demonstrates "a special attitude and allied sentiments."
He has stressed that cooperation will continue to develop in all areas, following the vector set by President Vladimir Putin.
