Tbilisi: Minister of State for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Tea Akhvlediani met with accredited ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Georgia. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss both ways of reconciliation and inclusion, as well as the implementation of civil equality and integration policy, results achieved and future visions, as well as concrete ways of further cooperation.
The Minister of State stressed the importance of close and coordinated cooperation with international partners and thanked them for their active involvement in the implementation of both policies, as well as in internationally recognized borders of Georgia for strong support of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The officials expressed concerns over the problematic humanitarian and legal situation in the occupied regions of Georgia and discrimination of the local population, especially ethnic Georgians living in the Gali and Akhalgori districts, to other gross violations of the amnesty rights.
In this context, the need for the continuation of joint efforts to ensure the unconditional and immediate release of illegal prisoners of Georgia, based on humanitarian approach was emphasized.
Tea Akhvlediani also spoke about reconciliation and inclusion policies, including the implementation of the Peace Initiative’s “Steps Towards a Better Future” and challenges in the process.
The Minister of State spoke about the vision, goals and objectives of the state policy on civil equality and integration. He discussed the results achieved within the five interconnected priorities of the state’s strategy, challenges remaining and plans for the future.
Ambassadors accredited in Georgia and representatives of international organizations positively assessed the activities of the State Minister’s apparatus in both directions and expressed full readiness for further close cooperation.
“Intensive and close, coordinated cooperation with our strategic partners, international organizations and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia is one of the top priorities of the State Minister’s Office”.
At today’s meeting, we summarized the results achieved by joint efforts, discussed current challenges and highlighted trends, and defined a united vision for our future cooperation. Once again, the international community emphasized and unambiguously the strong and unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, within internationally recognized borders, as well as support for inclusion and reconciliation, on the implementation of the Restoration of Confidence policy.
“The support of the United States for the implementation of a civil equality and integration state policy, within the USAID program “Unity in Diversity”, is noteworthy”- said the Minister of State Tea Akhvlediani.
The meeting was held with the support of the USAID Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Georgian United Nations Association.
