Georgian PM appoints new Energy Minister, Vice Prime Minister

Deputy Energy Minister Ilia Eloshvili has been appointed as Georgia’s new Minister of Energy.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced the news at today’s governmental meeting.

The post of Energy Minister fell vacant after Minister Kakha Kaladze was named as the ruling Georgian Dream team’s Tbilisi mayoral candidate, meaning he had to leave his ministerial role.

Kvirikashvili said that Eloshvili has been deputy minister since 2012 and has contributed to all projects the Energy Ministry has implemented since then.

"He has been Minister too for several months so he has this experience. I’m sure he will be successful in the important task he is given. He is experienced in both the private and public sectors as well as in international programs”, Kvirikashvili said.

Eloshvili has held the Energy Minister post from September to November of 2016 when the post was vacant before the newly elected Parliament gave a vote of confidence to the new government.

From left: Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Mikheil Janelidze, Energy Minister Ilia Eloshvili. Photo: PM's press office.

Former Energy Minister Kaladze also held the position of Vice Prime Minister. This role hasnow been given to Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.

Kvirikashvili said today that by appointing Janelidze as Vice Prime Minister, foreign relations officially becomes Georgia’s high priority.

"The foreign direction has always been our priority but this appointment once again stressed it”, Kvirikashvili said.

He also highlighted Janelidze’s role in successfully concluding the visa-liberalisation process for Georgia.

Kvirikashvili has now three deputies: First Vice President is Finance Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili and Vice Presidents are also Education Minister Aleksandre Jejelava and now Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.