Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Issues, Eka Tkeshelashvili said on March 13 that pace of implementation of the Georgian government’s engagement strategy with occupied territories “has not slowed down”; on the contrary, she said, efforts had intensified to build confidence and links between those people “living on opposite sides of occupation line.”
“The state resources, more and more state resources are being spent for this [purpose] – I cannot specify a concrete figure, because it’s secret information; the resources of our partner [countries and organizations] are also being provided to promote confidence building,” she told journalists.
She made the remarks before speaking to lawmakers at a hearing of parliamentary commission on territorial integrity.
The commission’s hearing was held behind the closed doors.
Tkeshelashvili requested to hold the closed-door hearing, citing “sensitivity” of the issue.
She also said that the confidence building “is not an easy process possible to accomplish in a short-term period.”
“But it’s a must-do task,” the State Minister for Reintegration added.