New defense and foreign ministers appointed

Mindia Janelidze, the secretary of the Cabinet Council for Crisis Control and Security, has replaced recently-dismissed Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. Ex-Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze, who resigned the day after Alasania’s dismissal, has been replaced by her deputy Tamar Beruchashvili.

Nika Chitadze, the head of the Center for Studies of Security Affairs and International Relations, believes that Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s substitutes for the ex-ministers were quick picks to fill the vacant posts. He believes that the appointments may become long-term in the future.

Chitadze reminded that Beruchashvili had a western education, she had been the commerce minister during Shevardnadze’s rule, state minister for European integration during Saakashvili’s presidency, deputy foreign minister since 2012. The analyst added that she had resigned two years ago, fearing that the course of European integration was in danger. She had changed her position several hours later.

Concerning Janelidze, Chitadze expressed other fears. In his words, Janelidze was less interested in integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

Mindia Janelidze, the secretary of the Cabinet Council for Crisis Control and Security, has replaced dismissed Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. Ex-Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze, who resigned the next day after Alasania’s dismissal the following day, has been replaced by her deputy Tamar Beruchashvili.Nika Chitadze, the head of the Center for Studies of Security Affairs and International Relations, believes that Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s substitutes for the ex-ministers were quick picks to fill the vacant posts. He believes that the appointments may become long-term in the future.Chitadze reminded that Beruchashvili had western education, she had been the commerce minister during Shevardnadze’s rule, state minister for European integration during Saakashvili’s presidency, deputy foreign minister since 2012. The analyst added that she had resigned two years ago, fearing that the course for European integration was in danger. She had changed her position several hours later.Concerning Janelidze, Chitadze expressed other fears. In his words, Janelidze was less interested in integration into Euro-Atlantic structur