The South Ossetian authorities began issuing South Ossetian passports to the residents of the unrecognized republic on August 15, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported.

“Today is the most important day in the history of South Ossetia, which has made one more step towards independence. The next step will be a referendum, where the population of our republic will have to confirm the results of the 1992 referendum,” South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity said.

Interior Minister of breakaway South Ossetia Mikhail Mindzaev said that South Ossetian passports will act on the entire territory of the unrecognized republic. “Passports will be issued to all residents of South Ossetia, including ethnic Georgians,” the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee quoted Mindzaev as saying.