The State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili met with Georgian and foreign students and told them about the main priorities of the Office of State Minister.

"Our policy is peaceful, without rhetoric, but principled, consistent, pragmatic and focused on the search outputs search. The reunification of our country, first of all, means for us the reunification of our people. That’s why the peace process aimed on encouraging contacts between people, confidence building and reconciliation, will become even more dynamic.

The occupation of our territories, kilometers of fencing wire, unresolved conflicts hamper the lives of many people. Therefore, the fate of the people affected by the conflict, is one of the main priorities of our government. We mean not only population living near occupation line, but also people in occupied regions, thousands of IDP-s, who deprived of the opportunity to return to their houses.

In recent years, the government of Georgia has taken lots of steps to assist the population living near the occupation line. Responding to the needs of these people, social and economic development of the region will be one of our top priorities in the future.

The protection of the rights of the population living in the occupied territory, as well as the improvement of living conditions of these people, regardless of their ethnic origin – is also our priority. This question deserves special attention. Particularly when we speak about ethnic Georgians of Gali district, whose rights are frequently and grossly violated. In this case involvement of international human rights protection mechanisms is very important.
The state continues to work towards improving of social and economic conditions of internally displaced persons, as well as for the realization of the inalienable right of the people to return to their houses.

Our policy has been and will be a dynamic - the government will offer more opportunities to residents of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, providing them the access to all public services. For example, the interest of the population of breakaway regions to the health program in recent years has dramatically increased - according to official statistics, 4-5 times. We are going to expand the involvement in other directions.

Our authorities have repeatedly stated that they are ready to offer people, living in the occupied territory, all the benefits and opportunities arising out from the cooperation of Georgia with its partners, relations with the European Union, an association agreement, visa - liberalization. Concrete steps will be taken to increase the availability.

It should be mentioned that the benefits from the process of integration with the European Union, mean not only the specific areas - such education, healthcare, visa-free travel, etc.. But much more important issues. For example, protection of identity. This is particularly important in current reality, when we are facing the threat of russification.

Our approach to conflict – common future in the common European state. Today Georgia is on the path of becoming such a state.

The formation of our country is on the path with the European democracy, as a country with the significant transit functions. We want to create the country with the strong economy and free society of general prosperity. Country, in which every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, feel secure and equitable.

We want all the citizens of our country – of course, including the residents of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region – to participate in the construction of such country. We are ready to expand direct dialogue with the Abkhaz and Ossetian communities in order to discuss our common interests, pragmatic outputs and new initiatives.

Such policy is actively supported by our international partners. The international community strongly supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. We continue the cooperation with our partners in order to intensify the engagement policy, confidence-building programs and contacts between people. This is particularly important direction, because today our task - despite the barbed wire and other barriers – is to build bridges that unite our people"- said Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The State Minister also told the students about the situation in the occupied territories and Geneva International Discussions.