საქართველოს მთავრობა|Government of Georgia

On December 21, 2009 at the Government Chancellery office the Prime Minister presented a new state minister for diaspora issues and a new minister for penitentiary and probation system.

"As you are informed, a few days ago Dima Shashkin was appointed as education minister. I would like to introduce to you Khatuna Kalmakhelidze who will replace him on his previous post. She was graduated from the university and graduate courses in the USA. One year ago she came back to Georgia and since that she has been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From tomorrow she will commence her new job as the minister for penitentiary and probation system. As you know this ministry was established some months ago and Mr.
Shashkin was its first minister. I believe that Ms. Kalmakhelidze will successfully prolong this activity.

In addition, I would like to inform you about a second change. Namely, under the presidential office is established a new archeological research center and its chairman will be Mr.
Yulon Gagoshidze who is one of the best specialists in this sphere. On the position of the state minister for diaspora issues he will be replaced by Mr. Papuna Davitaia, a Georgian MP. As far as being the deputy minister of culture he worked on the diaspora issues. He was also a member of the parliamentary committee for diaspora issues and is familiar with those issues. I would like to wish success to him as well."

At the end the Prime Minister asked the new ministers to speak briefly about their plans.

Khatuna Kalmakhelidze: "First of all I'd like to thank the Prime Minister for confidence he has declared in me. I understand the responsibility I shall bear under this appointment.

Significant reforms for democratization have been carried out in Georgia and prison system reform is an important part of this process. I will be guided with principles of humanism and will do my best efforts to achieve more progress in this field."

Papuna Davitaia thanked the PM Nika Gilauri for the confidence and Mr. Gagoshidze for creation of such significant ministry. "We shall make an effective mechanism and help every Georgian who has left Georgia to meet his wish, to have contacts with his historic motherland and to make own contribution to the development of the country."

Yulon Gagoshidze: "Archeology is such an issue which represents the Georgia's image. We will do more efforts to represent our country abroad in this direction."

On the same day the PM Nika Gilauri presented new minister Papuna Davitaia to the staff of state minister for diaspora issues. Thereafter he presented new minister for penitentiary and probation system Khatuna Kalmakhelidze. Nika Gilauri thanked the staff of the said ministries for the performed work.

The Prime Minister Press Service