The Interim Commission on Restoration of Territorial Integrity and De-occupation, the Foreign Relations and the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committees heard the State Minister for Reconciliation, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili speaking about the peacekeeping initiative “Step to better future” and its direction “Encountering of Trade along the Dividing Line”.

“It was one of the key peacekeeping initiatives adopted on the basis of the legal changes and backed by the Majority and the opposition. It was a good precedent of consensus on issues vital for the country. Madam Minister just recently visited the Parliament within the Ministerial Hour and gave the comprehensive information about all the steps made by the Ministry in terms of reconciliation and civil equality. She expressed commitment and will for certain initiatives, including “Step to better future” and pledged to provide the detailed presentation to the Commission and the Committees in camera and hence, this sitting is a good opportunity to hold the productive and targeted discussions”, - the Chair of the Commission, Irakli Beraia stated.

As the State Minister submits important information concluding the sensitive issues about the initiatives and steps within the peacekeeping program and its certain direction, the decision was made to close the sitting.

“It is a very interesting and priority issue submitted in details by Mme. Minister at the plenary session. Today, we ask about the situation in terms of trade deriving that these are sensitive issues. Hence, we need to hold the thorough consideration and necessarily in camera”, - the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sophio Katsarava noted.

The Commission and the Committees made the decision to close the sitting.

“No one in Georgia will tolerate occupation but we do intend to ensure reconciliation of the society divided by the occupation line. We already have a complex peacekeeping initiative approved by the Parliament. There are the novelties and first achievements and I would like to provide detailed information in the Parliament about this program, so our cooperation for successful implementation of the initiative is paramount”, - the State Minister noted.