The First Deputy State Minister discussed the importance of regional security and European integration process. She reviewed the current situation in the occupied region in detail and spoke about the role of Russia in these processes. Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili emphasized that unresolved conflicts pose a challenge to European security.

"Therefore, peaceful and lasting settlement of conflicts is indispensable and civil society should consolidate on this issue. Five countries out of the six Eastern Partnership member states have unresolved conflicts, on which Russia maintains a grip for serving its political purposes and causes further impediments to the development and European integration of these countries,"- Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili declared, also discussing the importance of the direct dialogue with the parties.

"We openly declare that we are ready for direct dialogue with Abkhazian and Ossetian societies. Our path runs through peace and is based solely on people-to-people contacts and confidence building. European integration is crucial within the peaceful settlement of the conflicts and therefore we propose all the expected benefits to the population of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,"- Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili declared.

Representatives of the Government of Georgia, "National Platforms of Eastern Partnership Member States," EU Member States, European Delegation and Civil Society Platform took place into the conference.