Janelidze: Georgia will continue its balanced policy towards Russia

Georgia will try to make utmost progress in the relations with the Russian Federation at both Geneva talks and in the format “Karasin-Abashidze,” Mikheil Janelidze, candidate for Georgian prime minister's post, told reporters on Tuesday, December 29.

“The pragmatic and balanced policy that is being implemented (in the relations with Russia – EADaily) is very important and will be continued. As for the topic of resolution of conflicts, it will be continued with our constructive participation at the Geneva international discussions… With involvement of international partners, we will do our utmost to make progress in those important issues that are called Georgia’s conflict with Russia. As for the other issues not related to policy and conflicts – humanitarian and trade issues, and the ‘Karasin-Abashidze’ format – they will be continued, of course,” Janelidze said.

Addressing the united meeting of the parliamentary committees for Diaspora and Caucasus, European Integration and Foreign Relations, on December 28, Mikhaeil Janelidze, as candidate for prime minister, said Georgia will continue the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. He pointed out that the Government will keep waging “a pragmatic and balanced policy” towards Russia.

 “The progress we made towards European integration and rapprochement with Euro-Atlantic structures will bring tangible results to our public,” Janelidze said.

He said Georgia must demonstrate a positive role in the region. “Our major approach will be utmost assistance to the current economic and energy projects in the region to make our region more attractive economically. Consequently, it will help prevent security problems to some extent,” he told parliamentarians at the united meeting of the committees on sidelines of the parliamentary hearings over approval of the Government. 

As EADaily reported earlier, Georgia has to form a new Cabinet after on December 23 the ex-prime minister Irakli Garibashvili declared about his resignation, leaving the post of the chair of the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia Party, and an intention to “rest for a while.”

On December 25, the parliamentary majority nominated Giorgi Kvirikashvili, acting deputy prime minister, the foreign minister for the post of the prime minister. Janelidze who is occupying the post of the first deputy foreign minister was nominated for the foreign minister’s post.  He graduated from Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia, BA in International Relations with Honorsp; Diplomatic Academy of MFA Russia, Moscow, Post Graduate Studies in International Law, European Law; Grenoble Graduate School of Business, Grenoble, France, MBA - Master of Business Administration with Distinction. In 2009-2011, Janelidze was the Head of Department for Foreign Trade & International Economic Relations at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. In November 2011, he was appointed as deputy minister of economy when the United National Movement was in power.  Janelidze kept his post after the Georgian Dream came to power. He was Kvirikashvili’s deputy when the latter was economy minister. After Kvirikashvili took the office of the Foreign Minister, in September 2015, he took Janelidze to the Foreign Ministry. In 2011, then President of Georgia Mikhaeil Saakashvili awarded Janelidze with the Order of Honor.