News

On 19-21st May, Adviser to the Prime Minister on national minorities issues Mr. Artur Liukdovski together with Director of Department on National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Vida Montvydaitė paid a working visit to Georgia. The delegation had meetings with the Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ms. Tea Akhvlediani, Head of the State Agency for Religious Issues Mr. Zaza Vashakmadze, representatives of the Council of Ethnic Minorities of Georgia. At the discussion it was noted that both countries enjoy the diversity of national minorities and support the initiatives aimed and strengthening the mutual understanding and tolerance.

Additional focus was devoted to the role of the state in supporting national minorities, their cultural and religious identity, heritage and traditions. “Lithuania remains ready to strengthen cooperation with Georgia on national minorities policy issues, namely in access to the state support to the minorities in the areas of access to the education in native and state languages, informational resilience”, - noted Director of the Department on National Minorities Ms. Vida Montvydaitė.

Also the meetings were held in Akhaltsikhe. The delegation met of the local NGOs and national minority representatives living in the region, also had a discussion with the Governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti region Mr. Beso Amiranashvili, heads of the administration of Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminda municipalities. Talks focused on the importance of sound cooperation between the municipalities and the local institutions in support to national minorities.

During the visit also, an exhibition “We created Lithuania together“ at the Centre of Lithuanian Language and Culture that is operating under the auspices of Tbilisi Technical University. Presentation provides a retrospective of contribution by national minorities, including the Georgian, into the statehood of Lithuania.