Ethnic minorities in Georgia and their active involvement in the country's social and political life had been discussed at the meeting of acting president Nino Burjanadze and ethnic minority representatives.

Issues related to the January 5 presidential elections had been discussed at the meeting. Nino Burjanadze called on ethnic minorities to check themselves on the voters list in the Central Election Commission in order not to lose the vote and enable everyone to contribute to the determination of the country's future and its political course. At the same time Nino Burjanadze called on them to report to the Inter-Agency Task Force in any case of violation.

It had been stressed at the meeting that the maintenance of peace and stability were of significant importance during the pre-election period. The importance of avoiding every possible act of provocation in the conflict zones had also been stressed. NGO representatives provided Nino Burjanadze with information on those issues that had to be solved primarily. They also underlined those positive steps that had been made in the last several years and had resulted in favorable outcomes. Many non-ethnic Georgians who had left the country returned to Georgia. Many pressing problems had been solved, such as publishing books in the languages of ethnic minorities for secondary schools.

At the meeting the parties stressed that every call or statement aimed at instigating ethnic conflict was inadmissible for Georgia. Discussions over ethnic minority issue will continue in the future.

Press Office
of the President of Georgia