"I believe that barbed wires will be dropped. Just as history remembers a collapse of lots of walls. Because these barriers are not directed only against international law, they are against the laws of nature", - such statement the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili made in her speech at the International Conference in Austria, which is attended by the representatives of the influential international organization.

In her speech the State Minister mainly talked about the Russian occupation and the role of women in conflict resolution.

“I am a strong believer in a formula that more women in peace process stands for more peace in the world. Women are most often the most vulnerable victims of conflict and war, and Georgia is no exception, but at the same time yes Women are often powerful agents of change in the aftermath of conflict and have a strong strive for peaceful environment at large.

This year Georgia marks two tragic anniversaries - 25 years from conflict in Abkhazia and 10 years from August war 2008. But it’s not just a part of tragic history. It’s an everyday humanitarian drama for thousands of families on both side of artificial divide who suffer unresolved conflict and continued Russian occupation of two regions of Georgia.

The situation is not frozen, it’s dynamic and this dynamics does not play in the interest on any community on ground.

Russia’s military buildup both in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/ South Ossetia grows. 10 000 militaries guard the military strongholds. Around 130 drills are conducted per year. It has become an unfortunately business as usual for local population, who find themselves increasingly isolated by 100km barbed wire fences and under excessive Russian control. No surprise for instance Tskhinvali region is 80% depopulated with 20 000 people living there now.  While Abkhazia’s population decreased by nearly 70% as compared to half a million prior to conflict.

Most of this population are those 300 000 Georgians, who turned into IDPs and cannot yet return to their homes. But others just had left, because of the lack of prospects.

Barbed wires have become a real and symbolic face of Russian occupation. The malpractice of illegal detention of locals for alleged illegal border crossing is continues. By the way the Russian soldiers detain and hamper three times more people from occupied side in attempt to cross to the rest of Georgia than vice versa. Over 60 villages remain directly divided and in some of them, including in mixed villages, neighbors cannot shake hands within few meters for years. It’s bizarre and tragic to think of such a reality when for instance we altogether just crossed thousands of kilometers to get together today here, without a hindrance”, - said the State Minister.

Within the framework of the international conference, the State Minister will have several high-level meetings.