The State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili met with the representative of the USAID Conflict Management and Reduction Office Dara Katz.

The meeting focused on a new peace initiative of the Government of Georgia "A Step for a Better Future". The State Minister emphasized the necessity and importance of implementing the package of initiatives and added that donors and international actors support this package.

They also talked about the reconciliation and engagement policy. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili reviewed the situation in the occupied territories, restrictions for the local population and the facts of human rights violations.

The healthcare direction of Georgia's reconciliation and engagement policy also was discussed, namely the state programs that are implemented for persons living in the occupied territories. It was noted that the state gives special importance to the care of the people living in the occupied territories and providing them access to the medical services.

Ketevan Tsikhelashvili also talked about the necessity of dialogue and relations between the population living on both sides of the dividing lines, the importance of the formation and development of different forms of communication.

The process of protection of the rights of ethnic minorities in Georgia and civil integration was also discussed at the meeting.

The State Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation with USAID and thanked the guest for support. The sides expressed readiness to continue cooperation.