The First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili met with international media representatives at Tiflis Palace Hotel on a business lunch.
At the meeting the First Deputy State Minister gave an overview of the current situation in the occupied territories of Georgia and development of Geneva International Discussions.
Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili highlighted the cases of human rights violation in the occupied territories, including the restrictions that are imposed on the freedom of movement and education into native language for ethnic-Georgian residents in Gali district.
Representatives of international media expressed interest towards the conflict settlement policy of the Georgian Government and specific measures that are taken by Georgian side for the protection of human rights for the residents of occupied territories.
According to the First Deputy State Minister, Georgia considers the settlement of the conflicts exclusively via peaceful means. As far as the issue of human rights protection was concerned, Mrs. Tsikhelashvili noted that the topics are covered on a daily basis, including by international negotiating format.
Mrs. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili extended her thanks to the representatives of international media by the meeting round-up, noting that international coverage of the ongoing occupation is extremely important. Media representatives expressed their willingness to continue meetings in future.
The meeting took place with the financial support of the European Union, under the “Support to the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality in the Sphere of Communication” Project.