- Changes take place in every single Government, corresponding to the objectives of a particular state. And the government is responsible to address new challenges, respectively. I think it is not a novelty and there is nothing unexpected in the fact that a country is in need of increased investments. There is a serious challenge with regard to the devaluation of all currencies with US Dollar. Problems emerged all over the world and we are facing these problems as well. I have a mortgage credit in US Dollar and obviously I am not happy about it, but I see the reality the world faces today. Therefore, as far as the country faces a new challenge, the government is responsible to address it though the way of intensified investment efforts. So, it is logical that Prime Minister sees the need of empowering economic direction within the Foreign Ministry, in addition to the European and Euro-Atlantic integration process the ministry works on. There are no questions about this direction; furthermore we have the State Minister’s Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

With Mr. Kvirikashvili’s appointment, additional topics have merged into the activity of the Foreign Office. The fact that the policy of Vice Prime Minister was acceptable for government was later reinforced by the appointment of his former deputy Mr. Dimitri Kumsishvili as his successor. Accordingly, the economic path the government has initiated carries on.

- Even before Mr. Kvirikashvili took over the office, he became a subject of criticism due to his statement on Eurasian continent;

- Even if we accept that some questions might possibly arise with regard to this statement, such question has not come to my mind; primarily because Eurasia is a great phenomenon. And the government has voiced repeatedly that we need a greater emphasis on China and Central Asia. We continue our trade relations with Russia, but obviously this may not be enough. We have no diplomatic relations with Russia. Besides, I am one of those politicians who often talks about the need for normalizing relations with Russia. However, as long as Russia continues to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the diplomatic relations should not be restored. Meanwhile we should not make any institutional or political attachment to Russia; and trade relations do not necessarily impede on our principled approach with regard to occupied regions. Hence, our activity with regard to Russia is continued in a same manner. By the new decision, we want to initialize our work with the East.

- Concerning the dismissal of Mrs. Tamar Beruchashvili why do you think the diplomat was dismissed? They say, her statement ten months ago, was not left unnoticed. Could you elaborate about the future of the Foreign Ministry?

- Mrs. Tamar Beruchashvili is one of the important specialists, owning a professional record in European and Euro-Atlantic direction. Her work is indispensible for Georgia. However I have no information about her future position. As for her statement 10 months ago, I think that time is was emotionally motivated.
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