Reshuffle in Government, NSC

  • Bokeria becomes NSC secretary replacing Tkeshelashvili;
  • Bokeria not likely to remain chief negotiator at Geneva talks;
  • Tkeshelashvili replaces state minister Yakobashvili;
  • Yakobashvili set to become ambassador to the U.S.;

President Saakashvili has replaced secretary of National Security Council (NSC), Eka Tkeshelashvili, with deputy foreign minister Giga Bokeria, the President’s administration said on November 20.

Tkeshelashvili has been appointed as the State Minister for Reintegration – the post overseeing Tbilisi’s policies towards breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia – replacing Temur Yakobashvili. The latter also served as vice-premier and with the recent reshuffle the vice-premier’s post will now be occupied by Tkeshelashvili.

Yakobashvili, who held the post of the state minister since January 2008, was nominated as Georgia’s ambassador to the United States, replacing Batu Kutelia. The local media reported that the latter will be become deputy secretary of the National Security Council. Yakobashvili ambassadorial nomination requires Parliament’s approval.

The announcement about the changes in the government and NSC comes amid ongoing visit of President Saakashvili to Lisbon at NATO summit. In Lisbon the Georgian delegation also includes Giga Bokeria and Temur Yakobashvili.

In the capacity of First Deputy Foreign Ministry, Bokeria was Georgia’s chief negotiator in the Geneva talks. This role of chief negotiator will most likely be transferred to someone else, Civil.ge has learnt. The next round of Geneva talks is scheduled for December 16.

In her new capacity of the State Minister for Reintegration, Eka Tkeshelashvili, 33, will be in charge of Tbilisi’s policies towards the breakaway regions, as well as on implementation of Tbilisi’s state strategy on occupied territories and its action plan, which was developed under Yakobashvili’s tenure on the post.

Tkeshelashvili, who served as Georgia’s Foreign Minister in 2008, held number of senior governmental posts since 2004, including deputy interior and deputy justice minister, as well as chairperson of court of appeals and chief prosecutor.