State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili met with Brock Birman, Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Europe and Eurasia.

At the meeting the situation in the occupied territories and the challenges of population living along the dividing lines were discussed. Including problems caused by restriction of movement. According to the State Minister, the Georgian authorities, together with their partners, are doing their best in order to support the population.

“The United States is our strategic partner. USAID for years helps the Georgian state to resolve the conflict peacefully and support people affected by the conflict. Today we talked about our very close partnership in the direction of conflict resolution and the plans we have. Specifically, in terms of helping those who are most affected by the conflict. These are the people on both sides of the dividing line who cope with the occupation.

"We also talked about cooperation within the framework of the Georgia peace initiative in response to the growing interest from the population of both occupied regions. I am sure that with the joint efforts of our partners and all these organizations we will be able to rebuild the bridges of confidence despite barbed wire and, more importantly, to encourage cooperation around common interests”, - said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.