"This year is no exception. Any kind of activity in the occupied territory always serves for the specific goal, so in this case, the restrictions on Georgian language is the reaction to the reality stemming from the peaceful policy of Georgia. Our key objective is sustain the Georgian population locally in the occupied Gali district and elsewhere in the territory of Abkhazia, to prevent the district from population drain and not to let Abkhazian society perceive this population as a threat.

We do hope to protect, as we have done earlier, the ethnic Georgians in the occupied territory with the support of the international community and our partners. Restriction of Georgian language is an effort to Russify the Gali district and the whole territory of Abkhazia, which will not stay beyond the attention of the international community," - Mr. Zakareishvili declares, adding that such measures do not contribute to the stability and security in Gali district and remain as a fragile effort to withstand the peaceful policy of Georgia. "Any kind of reform in the sphere of Education requires couple of years, so we remain convinced that Abkhazian society shall reconsider its approaches and realize that peace and stability in Gali district is important for its own security as well. We do hope that our policy shall result into the reality in which the Georgian population shall be treated as trustful in the territory of Abkhazia and it will be further bridging the Abkhazian and Georgian society towards peace. The occupying regime reacts precisely to this prospect of transition through aggressive measures; such is the restriction of Georgian language. As far as Georgian schools of Gali district are concerned, according to our information, the academic process still runs into Georgian language there. Besides, the number of pupils in the schools of Gali district is on the rise, as is the number of graduates of these schools. Majority of Gali pupils continue their study in Georgian higher academic institutions. This is a clear indication that we accomplish our main objective - that is to sustain the Georgian population in Gali district," - Mr. Paata Zakareishvili declares. The comment of Mr. Paata Zakareishvili was released by the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.

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