Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has nominated Zurab Pataridze for the post of Chair of the Government of Adjara, according to an announcement made at a briefing at the presidential administration, Georgian media reports.
Pataridze previously served as head of the Adjara government from 2016 to 2018. Until recently, he was Georgia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, during which time he reportedly strengthened his ties with senior Azerbaijani officials and the business community.
President Kavelashvili said the decision had been made in coordination with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
The nomination now requires approval by a majority of members of the Supreme Council of Adjara. However, the process is expected to be largely procedural, as the ruling Georgian Dream party holds a majority in the body.
Kavelashvili noted that during his first term in office, Pataridze implemented several major projects and demonstrated himself internationally as a “defender of the country’s interests”.
“Zurab Pataridze has worked productively for many years in the diplomatic service, where he has duly defended Georgia’s interests on the international stage. He is a native of Adjara and is well aware of the region’s needs and potential,” the president said.
Pataridze thanked Kavelashvili and Kobakhidze for their trust, describing the appointment as a major responsibility.
“This is a huge responsibility and challenge, which we will meet together with our team. We will continue the important work that has been started and is ongoing,” he said.
A career diplomat, Pataridze has served as Georgia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan since August 2018. He previously held ambassadorial posts in Kazakhstan (2013–2016) and Türkiye (2012–2013), and served as Consul General in Istanbul.
His career also includes work in Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular service and, in the 1990s, positions in the central apparatus of the Interior Ministry of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and in banking structures in Batumi.
The post of head of the Adjara government became vacant following reshuffles in the security sector. The current chair, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, is being appointed as Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs.
Tamazashvili, a former director of the Tbilisi Police Department at the Interior Ministry, is under UK sanctions. London has listed him and other Interior Ministry officials, accusing them of responsibility for violence against participants in anti-government protests in Tbilisi.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
