Civil Georgia
May 1, 2015
New Defense Minister Meets Army Chief of Staff
Tbilisi: MP Tina Khidasheli, who has become Georgia’s first ever female defense minister, met chief of general staff of the armed forces Gen. Vakhtang Kapanadze.
“It was an introductory meeting for me as there are lots of activities going on in the defense area on which I do not yet possess information,” Khidasheli said. “I am confident that our main goal to become a NATO member as soon as possible is achievable and together with Mr. Kapanadze we will do everything in order to speed up this process.”
“I have no doubt that this [appointment of Khidasheli as defense minister] will yield positive results for the armed forces,” Gen. Kapanadze said after the meeting with the new defense minister in Parliament chamber in Kutaisi.
…
Khidasheli replaced Mindia Janelidze, who held defense minister’s post since November, 2014 when then defense minister Irakli Alasania was sacked.
Alasania, leader of opposition Free Democrats party, said earlier on May 1 that he was very glad that Georgia will have female defense minister.
“I want to give her several advises – to take care of soldiers, to continue the path, which we chose for strengthening of country’s defense capabilities, involving procuring of air defense and other capabilities. I know Tina Khidasheli and I hope that she will take care of soldiers; time will show the rest. The rest will depend on to what extent she will be able to be guided by the interests of the country and not by loyalty towards any political figure,” Alasania told journalists in the town of Gori, where he opened a local office of his Free Democrats party.
…
Source