Interagency Commission Meeting

27 დეკემბერი 2012

Interagency Commission is coordinated by the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration. The Commission met for the first time since the formation of the new government. State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration, Paata Zakareishvili and First Deputy State Minister, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili also attended the meeting.

The Meeting focused on importance of teaching state language in ethnic minority regions. Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia noted that specially trained teachers not only teach state language, but in addition organize working of the Georgian language Clubs, where anyone can learn the language.

The State Minister noted at the meeting that the Government should not only offer state language to ethnic minorities, but the future prospects of using this knowledge in practice.

"This is not just about knowledge of state language; it’s much more than that. We have to try and help young representatives of ethnic minorities to stay in Georgia, and use their talent and knowledge for our country. We plan to work closely with every ministry and agency which are represented on the commission in order to achieve effective results", - said State minister

The meeting discussed realized and planned activities in the frames of the National Concept for Tolerance and Civic Integration. Discussions focused on access to information for the representatives of ethnic minorities, social and regional integration, as well as the preservation of culture and identity. The members of the Commission presented information about the work conducted by their agencies and organizations.

The representative of the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia, Emzar Jgeranaia noted at the meeting that it is planned to scan and put on a single portal all Abkhazian and Ossetian language books which are preserved in the library.

"We want to show the Abkhaz and Ossetian communities that we do care for their values", - said Emzar Jgerenaia.

The representative of Georgian Public Broadcaster, Zurab Dvali said that in addition to news in the Abkhaz, Ossetian, Azerbaijani and Armenian languages, GPB plans to develop a project in a fifth, Russian language.

"News programs in four languages are already being produced and broadcasted by local televisions. These news programs are also being broadcasted by the Public Radio", - said Zurab Dvali