The institute of analysis and resolution of conflicts at the George Mason University has held the ninth meeting between representatives of the Georgian and the South-Ossetian civil societies from 8 to 10 July, 2011 in Istanbul. According to the press release results of the meeting, this time 26 participants took part in the informal meeting, including representatives of the international and non-governmental organizations, and also advisers of the Great Britain Foreign Ministry and the Agency on the USA international development. All those present took part in the meeting as private persons and did not represent interests of any organizations.
During the dialogue the participants have discussed the current situation, various initiatives directed on rehabilitation of mutual understanding and trust between Georgian and South-Ossetian societies; they have also discussed availability of further projects of the process "Point of view". In the course of the dialogue the sides have communicated about a status of the events covering by mass media. The general point of view has been stated that mass media plays a considerable role both in aggravating, and in tension removal in the Georgian-Ossetian relations. Various ideas for the purpose of increasing the level of journalistic communities’ interaction have been also discussed. The information of the international non-governmental organization "Saferworld" activities in the Georgian villages which have suffered during the conflict has been also heard at the meeting.
