State Minister Ketevan Tsikhelashvili held a video meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia Kelly Degnan.

At the meeting participants discussed the state policy of reconciliation and engagement, planned activities and steps taken within its framework. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili provided the Ambassador with detailed information on the current situation in the occupied territories, including the needs of the people living there, in light of the threat of COVID-19 spread. The State Minister thanked the diplomat for US involvement and support, noting that the assistance of international partners is crucial in this process, including the United States as a strategic partner, which has been carrying out important projects in Abkhazia.

Discussions also focused on human rights violations in the occupied territory, the Geneva talks, as well as of the Government’s peace initiative “A Step to a Better Future” and its future implementation in order to improve the conditions of population living in the occupied territories. Kelly Degnan expressed her full support for the peace initiative.

The state policy on integration of ethnic minorities also was discussed. In this regard, the Minister thanked the Ambassador for the assistance provided by the United States. Including USAID’s contribution to the production of related to Koronavirus news materials on Azeri and Armenian languages.

At the end of the meeting, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili thanked the Ambassador for the U.S. support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for its support for peace policy. The sides agreed to continue and deepen cooperation