AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLCI OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH OSSETIA on social-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation

The Government of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Government of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, hereinafter referred as “Sides”,

Based on Article 16 of the Constitution of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania and Article 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Ossetia,

Noting to the importance of the traditional economic, social and cultural links based on the ethnic unity of the peoples of two Republics…

Agreed on the following:

Article 1

The Sides commit themselves to encourage the process of integration in social-economic, scientific-technical, banking and customs spheres; forming of unified cultural, educational and information space.

Article 5

The Sides elaborate and finance joint projects aimed at social-economic development of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania and the Republic of South Ossetia.

Article 6

The Sides encourage development of adequate conditions for voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of residence.

Article 10

The Sides set up Inter-Governmental Coordinating Committee in order to secure implementation of the provisions of this Agreement and establish the Representations of the Sides on their respective territories if necessary.

Article 11

In order to secure operative and reliable financial and fiscal transactions, the Sides establish direct corresponding relations between the National Banks of the North Ossetia and South Ossetia, and, if necessary found the new banking structures.

Article 12

The Sides commit themselves to elaborate and implement the measures on exploitation and maintenance of Trans-Caucasus Motorway through the Rocky Crossing.

Article 13

The Sides promote establishment of the Unified Region of Intensive Economic Development with single customs space on the territories of both republics.

Article 14

The Sides commit themselves to encourage the simplified procedures for border crossing, through the facilitation of Russian authorities, between the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and the Republic of South Ossetia.

Article 17

This Agreement is concluded for 5-year term.  The term is automatically expended for more 5 years if neither Sides declares on denunciation based on written message 6 months prior to the date of expire.

Done at Tskhinval 9 November 1996 in two copies, in Ossetian and in Russian languages each…

For the Government of the Republic of South Ossetia A. Shavlokhov

For the Government of the North Ossetia - Alania Y. Biragov

9 November 1996

(Newspaper “Youzhnaia Ossetia”, # 79, 23 November 1996)