The new peace initiative "A Step for a Better Future" was unanimously supported by the lawmakers at the plenary session of the Parliament of Georgia

The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili presented the package of amendments at the plenary session.

During the plenary session the initiative was discussed by the Human rights and civil integration, Education, science and culture, Sector economy and economic policy, Legal issues and Finance and budget committees.

As Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said, this initiative, which was approved by the Government on 4 April, is an open and effective statement that the Georgian peacekeeping course and action plan is firm and consistent.

According to the State Minister, this initiative is aimed on the interests and needs of the conflict affected population, on improving their socio-economic and humanitarian situation. It also creates a base for encouraging contacts, movement, cooperation and dialogue based on common interests, which is a prerequisite for confidence building and community reconciliation, a prerequisite of full-scale and peaceful settlement of the conflict.

"It’s already 25 years as we are living under conditions of unresolved conflict. 10 years passed after the August war 2008. Perhaps it is not a long period for this history, but tens of thousands of people on the both sides of the dividing lines live with these difficulties and problems.

"The fact is that the conflict is not frozen and we do not have a static situatuin. There are sad dynamics on this dynamics is not “working” neither for Georgians, nor for Abkhazians and Ossetians. The severity of this reality was once again revealed on February, 22. I mean the unlawful detention of Archil Tatunashvili and his death. For 26 days we didn’t have an opportunity to transfer his body. In those grievous days we have seen again that such actions and provocations are directed towards escalation of tensions, aggravation of the confrontation between people. It is directed against everyone's security and peaceful future.

"That is why the Government of Georgia offers a proactive and dynamic step that will be the most principled, firm and adequate response to the challenges that we are facing. We will show that our answer is peace, development and coherence. We want to open the way to the constructive cooperation and dialogue and thus way to care of the population until the full resolution of the conflict”, - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

At the session the State Minister listened to the MPs' assessments, answered their questions and thanked them for their support.