David Tkeshelashvili
Encyclopedia
David Tkeshelashvili (born October 16, 1969) is a Georgian
politician
who currently serves as the Head of Presidential Administration of Georgia
.
, Georgia
. In 1987-1989, he served in the Soviet Army
. After dissolution of Soviet Union, he worked as the head, political secretary and deputy chairman of the Regional Department of the Citizens' Union's
Youth Branch in 1993-1995, serving as the organization's press secretary from 1994 to 1995. In 1995, he was elected to the Georgian Parliament
becoming deputy majority leader. A year later, Tkeshelashvili graduated from Tbilisi State University
with a degree in Law.
In 1998-2002, he was the chairman of the youth branch of the Citizen's Union.
In 1999, he was re-elected to the parliament, working as chairman of the Subcommittee for Relations with Media and Non-governmental Organizations of the Human Rights Committee from 1999 through 2003. In 2004, Tkeshelashvili was re-elected as MP for the third term from National Movement - Democrats. The following year, he won Edmund S. Muskie scholarship
, subsequently obtaining LLM from Emory University
in 2006. At the university, he was conferred with Sheth Distinguished International Alumni Award.
. As the minister, he was able to sign park partnership agreements with the US government which ensured financial and technical assistance to Georgia and establishment of sister-park relationship between Point Reyes
and Kolkheti National Park
. In 2007-2008, he was Minister of Health, Labour and Social Affairs
. On 31 January 2008, he was appointed Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure
.
On August 2, 2009, Tkeshelashvili was appointed the First Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia
.
Georgian people
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who currently serves as the Head of Presidential Administration of Georgia
Presidential Administration of Georgia
Presidential Administration of Georgia is the executive body of administration of President of Georgia. The office of the Presidential administration is located on the left bank of the Kura River, in the Avlabari district of Tbilisi, Georgia.-History:...
.
Early years
Tkeshelashvili was born on October 16, 1969 in TbilisiTbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. In 1987-1989, he served in the Soviet Army
Soviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
. After dissolution of Soviet Union, he worked as the head, political secretary and deputy chairman of the Regional Department of the Citizens' Union's
Union of Citizens of Georgia
The Union of Citizens of Georgia is a centre-left political party established by Eduard Shevardnadze, President of Georgia between 1992-2003 and David Chantladze, former General Trade Representative of Soviet Union to Czechoslovakia...
Youth Branch in 1993-1995, serving as the organization's press secretary from 1994 to 1995. In 1995, he was elected to the Georgian Parliament
Parliament of Georgia
Parliament of Georgia is the supreme legislature of Georgia. It is unicameral and has 150 members, known as deputies, from which 75 members are proportional representatives and 75 are elected through single-member district plurality system, representing their constituencies...
becoming deputy majority leader. A year later, Tkeshelashvili graduated from Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi State University
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University , better known as Tbilisi State University , is a university established on 8 February 1918 in Tbilisi, Georgia. TSU is the oldest university in the whole Caucasus region...
with a degree in Law.
In 1998-2002, he was the chairman of the youth branch of the Citizen's Union.
In 1999, he was re-elected to the parliament, working as chairman of the Subcommittee for Relations with Media and Non-governmental Organizations of the Human Rights Committee from 1999 through 2003. In 2004, Tkeshelashvili was re-elected as MP for the third term from National Movement - Democrats. The following year, he won Edmund S. Muskie scholarship
Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program
Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State....
, subsequently obtaining LLM from Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
in 2006. At the university, he was conferred with Sheth Distinguished International Alumni Award.
Political career
In 2006-2007, Tkeshelashvili served as the Minister of Environment Protection and Natural ResourcesMinistry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources (Georgia)
The Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources is a ministry of Georgia. The ministry regulates activities related to protection of the environment and natural resources in the republic. It is currently headed by Giorgi Khachidze.-History:...
. As the minister, he was able to sign park partnership agreements with the US government which ensured financial and technical assistance to Georgia and establishment of sister-park relationship between Point Reyes
Point Reyes
Point Reyes is a prominent cape on the Pacific coast of northern California. It is located in Marin County approximately WNW of San Francisco. The term is often applied to the Point Reyes Peninsula, the region bounded by Tomales Bay on the northeast and Bolinas Lagoon on the southeast...
and Kolkheti National Park
Kolkheti National Park
Kolkheti National Park is a national park located in the historical region of Colchis in western Georgia. It lies on a coastal plain on the Black Sea, between the mouths of the Tikori and Supsa and spanning the districts of Zugdidi, Khobi, Lanchkhuti, Senaki and Abasha...
. In 2007-2008, he was Minister of Health, Labour and Social Affairs
Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs (Georgia)
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs of Georgia is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Georgia in charge of regulating the healthcare system, labor issues and social security system in Georgia...
. On 31 January 2008, he was appointed Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure
Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (Georgia)
The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Georgia in charge of regional and infrastructure development, regulation of activities in sector of Georgia...
.
On August 2, 2009, Tkeshelashvili was appointed the First Vice-Prime Minister of Georgia
Prime Minister of Georgia
The Prime Minister of Georgia is the most senior minister within the Cabinet of Georgia, appointed by the President of Georgia. The official title of the Head of the Government of Georgia has varied throughout history, however, the duties and functions of the leader have changed only marginally....
.