At the briefing held in the Chancellery of the Government on 9 December 2008, Prime Minister of Georgia Grigol Mgaloblishvili made a statement of staff changes in the Government.
"As I told you, consultations were underway with the President and Parliament of Georgia to reshuffle the team of the Government of Georgia. We remain committed to consistently accomplishing all the objectives that we promised to our people. It is important for us to be able to consistently make steps to the fulfillment of the 18-month plan that will finally pull the country out of the crisis, in which it was involved as a result of the Russian aggression.
I'd like to present the members of the Parliament as the new candidates for the Cabinet of Ministers.
I am nominating to the President Mr. Lasha Shvania for the Minister of Economic Development of Georgia. In addition to being an experienced diplomat, Lasha Zhvania has extensive experience in working with investors. He was a majority MP from Chugureti Region and is keenly aware of the needs of people. He knows how to attract additional investments to Georgia.
Ms. Eka Sharashidze will return to the Administration of the President. I'd like to express my deed appreciations for her work. In the critical times for Georgia, thanks to her own commitment and that of all the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Georgian economy maintained stability and Georgia met the challenge against overwhelming odds.
I'd also like to say that Vasil Sikharulidze, an experienced diplomat, our former Ambassador to the United States of America is appointed Minister of Defense. Vasil Sikharulidze is an experienced diplomat. Before serving in the United States of America, she had worked in the Ministry of Defense. He has the experience of working for NATO Mission and for the Committee for Security and Defense of the Parliament of Georgia. I believe that in these critical times Davit Sikharulidze will be able to successfully meet this daunting challenge.
I'd also like to propose an experience parliamentarian, a person who is known for the Georgian public more as a defense and security specialist. I'd like to present Mr. Nikoloz Rurua as the candidate for the Minister of Culture of Georgia. We believe that the today our defense line goes along the promotion of our culture. In these hard times, it is necessary and critical that we promote the Georgian culture abroad and show it to the world. That would help us considerably in meeting the challenges in these critical times," the Prime Minister of Georgia said, wishing success to the new members of the Government.
Press Center of the Chancellery of the Government of Georgia