Reconciliation Minister, Latvian MPs discuss humanitarian situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions

The humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia and the discrimination of ethnic Georgians in the occupied Gali and Akhalgori districts were disscussed between Tea Akhvlediani, Georgia’s State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, and Latvian MPs during their visit to Georgia on Tuesday.

The “gross violations” of fundamental rights in the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions were discussed at the meeting where the sides also reviewed the achievements, priorities and future plans of the Office of the State Minister.

The meeting also highlighted the issue of illegal detention of Georgian citizens along the administrative boundary separating the occupied regions from Georgian-controller territory, and the need for continued efforts by international partners to ensure “immediate release” of those detained by the de facto authorities, the Office of State Minister said.

The State Minister briefed the Latvian parliamentarians on the implementation of the Georgian Government's policy of reconciliation and engagement, and thanked them for their “strong support” for the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, as well as for the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.