Parliament Approves New Ambassadors

The Parliament approved eight new ambassadorial nominations at its session on December 26.

Batu Kutelia, the former deputy defense minister, was approved as the Georgian ambassador to the United States, replacing Davit Sikharulidze. The latter became a new Defense Minister as a result of the recent cabinet reshuffle.

Alexander Lomaia, former secretary of the National Security Council and one of the key figure in the President Saakashvili’s administration, has become Georgia’s envoy to the UN. This position has become vacant since former envoy Irakli Alasania resigned on December 4. 

During the discussions, Vice Speaker Mikheil Machavariani, praised ambassadorial nominees of Baku Kutelia and Alexander Lomaia for their “successful activities” during the August war. Parliamentary minority leader, MP Giorgi Targamadze of Christian-Democratic Party, however, challenged these remarks.

“We suppose that the results of the parliament’s temporary commission [which studied the August war] have made it clear that the activities of either the National Security Council or the Defense Ministry cannot be assessed positively; naturally, those persons, who led these agencies, cannot be assessed as successful state officials,” MP Giorgi Targamadze said. “But I would like these persons [Batu Kutelia and Alexandre Lomaia] to be more successful in their new capacities.”

In other ambassadorial nominations, Tariel Lebanidze was approved as ambassador to Turkey; he will also cover Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He once has already served as Georgia’s ambassador to Turkey.

Ambassadorial post in Turkey has become vacant after former ambassador Grigol Mgaloblishvili was appointed as Prime Minister.

Giorgi Badridze was appointed as Georgian ambassador to UK and Ireland, replacing Gela Charkviani. The latter was approved as Georgia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization.

Grigol Katamadze was approved as Georgian ambassador to Ukraine. He also held this position previously. Katamadze has replaced Merab Antadze, who now became Georgia’s representative to GUAM.

The Parliament approved Karlo Sikharulidze as Georgian ambassador to China, replacing Zaza Begashvili.

Mamuka Kudava, the ambassador to France, will also cover Portugal and Monaco and will serve as a permanent representative to UNESCO as a result of the Parliament’s decision.

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