Georgia’s Defence Minister names two deputies

Georgia’s new Defence Minister Levan Izoria has today named his two deputies.

First Deputy Defence Minister is Lela Chikovani, a Lieutenant Colonel who is a three-time nominee of the Medal of Merit, including once by a foreign country.

The Deputy Defence Minister is Nukri Gelashvili, the rector of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

Facts about First Deputy Defence Minister:

Lela Chikovani was a defence attaché of Georgia to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland in 2006-2008. Based in Vilnius, she was the only woman among the 30 defence attachés accredited to Lithuania at that time. She was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Lithuanian Government.

During her career Chikovani has worked at the Border Police, headed the strategic planning department and been in charge of several reforms Georgia implemented in partnership with the United States (US). During the past year she was Head of Administration at Georgia’s State Security Service and earlier she was Head of Administration at Georgia’s Interior Ministry.

Some educational institutions she has studied at included:

1. Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government (Black Sea Security Program);
2. USA, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, (MSc - Defense Analysis and National Security Affairs);
3. Defence Academy of the United Kingdom (Managing Defense & Security);
4. NATO School (Oberammergau) (Maritime Security);
5. Swedish National Defense College, Stockholm (European Security Policy);
6. George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (Germany) (Leadership, Stability & Security program);
7. Tbilisi State University (MA in Economics and Management);
8. National Defence Academy (Special Military Studies).

She speaks Georgian, English, Russian, German, Spanish and Turkish languages.

Facts about Deputy Defence Minister:

Nukri Gelashvili has been leading the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia since 2012.

Before that he has held high academic posts at several higher education institutions of Georgia.

"I have known Nukri for years,” Minister Izoria said.

"In 2004-2006 when I was the Academy Rector, together with Nukri and other members of our team, we implemented the important reform related to the creation of Patrol Police and we both are proud of this.”

Izoria replaced Tinatin Khidasheli as Defence Minister on Monday after the outgoing Minister decided to step down so she could represent the Republican Party at the October 8 Parliamentary Elections.