The State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality started her working in the United States of America. Within the framework of the visit, the first meetings were held at the State Department, Helsinki Commission and Atlantic Council, where Ketevan Tsikhelashvili talked about the country's main challenge - the current occupation, the situation on the occupied territories and the problems that thousands of people face daily.

According to the State Minister, the United States is a strategic partner of Georgia and its unwavering support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty is crucial to non-recognition policy.

"This support is very effective and Georgia-US relations are now their peak. Including congressional acts, based on the budget law, which is an effective mechanism to support non-recognition policy", - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

Another meeting Ketevan Tsikhelashvili held at the State Department with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent. The main topic of the conversation was the Russian occupation, the dangers caused by it and the Government's peace initiative was "A Step to a Better Future" that was released last year and is now is in the implementation phase. As Ketevan Tsikhelashvili noted, the support of partners for the implementation of this initiative is extremely important as there are expressed interest from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, from people whose lives will be improved with this initiative.

"We have full political support from our partners. Including the US. Right now we are working on new effective tools in order to respond to these interests and take a step towards peaceful resolution of the conflict. At the meetings we talked about very specific mechanisms that can support the implementation of peacekeeping policies, contacts between people. This is a very pragmatic and practical step and we are going to take them together with the United States”, - added the State Minister.

Ketevan Tsikhelashvili continues her visit to the United States.