“The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are linked by centuries-old friendship. I would like to express my deep gratitude for visiting the republic on the eve of the anniversary of the start of the Georgian aggression. This is a tragic date, the fact that friends come to support us on this day is worth a lot, " President of the Republic of South Ossetia noted in his welcoming speech.

Aslan Bzhania thanked for the warm welcome. "I could not help but come that day. The Abkhazian and South Ossetian peoples in many respects have passed the same path, face the same challenges. Our peoples today have all the opportunities to create a peaceful future," A. Bzhania said.