MPs in the Georgian parliament have heard from the nominees for foreign minister and the minister of heath earlier today, before the legislators vote for the new cabinet of ministers later this week.
The candidate for Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that Georgia will continue taking active steps towards the country’s integration into NATO and the EU and will ensure closer ties with one of its key strategic partners, the United States.
He said that Georgia has been raising the issue of the occupation of Georgian lands by Russia from all international tribunes.
We will continue to peacefully resolve the conflict with the help of our foreign partners and international organisations,” Zalkaliani said.
Zalkaliani took the post of FM iin June 2018. Photo: Parliament's press office.
He stated that this year Georgia will take over the chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s (CoE) Committee of Ministers for a six-month term from November 2019 to May 2020, “which will be a huge event in the history of Georgia,” and will help the country push forward the issues which trouble the nation.
The candidate for Health Ministry Ekaterine Tikaradze said that a state funding system for the General Healthcare programme will be revised to further decrease people’s medical expenditures and ensure a higher quality of service.
She said that negotiations will take place with several countries to ensure affordable treatment for Georgian cancer patients before the country ensures high standards in treatment.
Tikaradze said that the regional development in terms of provision medical services will be in focus to avoid an inflow of patients to Tbilisi.
Members of the new cabinet have been nominated after the resignation of PM Mamuka Bakhtadze earlier this week.
Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia has been nominated to replace him.