Georgia’s new Deputy Foreign Ministers approved

The appointment of two public servants as the country’s new Deputy Foreign Ministers has been approved by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

David Zalkaliani and Zviad Gonadze have been appointed as Georgia's new First Deputy Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister respectively.

Zalkaliani, long-time diplomat, held the same post a year ago too before he stepped down following the resignation of then Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze.

They both were members of the Free Democrats party, which was part of the Georgian Dream Coalition before going into opposition in November 2014.

About his reappointment as the Deputy Foreign Minister, Zalkaliani said: "The recent changes in the country represent a serious step towards country’s democratic development.”

He added he was now confident the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic course was irreversible.

As for Gonadze, he has a rich experience of cooperation with international donors and financial organisations. He was the Director of State Service Agency Bureau from 2012 to 2016.

Meanwhile four other officials, David Dondua, David Jalagania, Gigi Gigiadze and Khauna Totladze have retained their roles as Deputy Foreign Ministers.