South Ossetia intends to become a part of Russia as a subject, then the authorities consider it necessary to initiate the procedure of unification with North Ossetia, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov said on Thursday, TASS reported.

He said Wednesday that the country will take legal steps to become part of Russia in the near future.

"At present South Ossetia can become a part of Russia as a subject of Russia. I think that unification of Ossetia is necessary", said Bibilov.

He noted that becoming part of Russia will increase the security of the republic many times, which plays an important role for society. "The new Constitution of Russia stipulates that it will in no case give the territories that are in Russia to anyone. This multiplies the security of the population of the Republic of South Ossetia," Bibilov said.

According to him, the republic will have more opportunities for economic development as a part of Russia. So, opportunities for socio-economic development will increase many times over. "You know very well that today's program, which is aimed at the development of infrastructure, social facilities. As of today we have worked with Russia on the budget of the program of socio-economic development, this program is for three years and financially it is about 4 billion rubles", Bibilov said.

The Republic of South Ossetia is holding consultations with Russia on the issue of holding a referendum on its joining, said the President.

"The most important thing is that consultations are already taking place with our Russian colleagues. And legal actions - they should be primarily based on international law. There is a basis for this. South Ossetia is an independent state, and it can make those decisions that it considers vital for itself. This decision is in fact vital for the people of South Ossetia", he said.

Russia recognized the sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26, 2008 after an armed aggression of Georgia against Tskhinval. Russian leaders have repeatedly stated that recognition of the independence of the two former Georgian autonomies reflects current realities and is not subject to revision. However, Tbilisi has refused to recognize the independence of the republics.

On March 15, the South Ossetian Central Electoral Commission completed registration of presidential candidates. On April 10 Bibilov, deputy parliament speaker Alexander Pliev, leader of political party "Nykhas" Alan Gagloev, deputy Garry Muldarov and former deputy Dmitry Tasoev would compete for the highest state post. Bibilov was elected president in April 2017, and has served as chairman of the parliament of the republic since June 2014.