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Grigol MgaloblishviliPrime Minister of Georgia
Date of Birth: 07.10.1973
Country:  Georgia |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Grigol Mgaloblishvili was born on October 7, 1973, in Tbilisi, Georgia. From 1990 to 1995, he studied at Tbilisi State University's Faculty of Oriental Studies, majoring in Languages of the East. Additionally, he studied at Istanbul University's Faculty of Foreign Languages from 1992 to 1993.
Diplomatic Career
In 1995, Mgaloblishvili joined the Georgian trade mission in Turkey. The following year, he moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department for Western European Countries, where he served as an attaché, second secretary, and first secretary. According to reports, he also graduated from NATO's Defense College in Georgia in 1998.
From 1998 to 2002, Mgaloblishvili worked at the Georgian Embassy in Turkey, initially as first secretary and later as political adviser. He then pursued further studies at Oxford University's Faculty of Diplomatic Relations from 2002 to 2003.
Upon his return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mgaloblishvili served as Deputy Director of the US, Canada, and Latin American Countries Department (2003-2004) and briefly headed the European Affairs and Euro-Integration Department (2004).
In 2004, Mgaloblishvili was appointed Ambassador of Georgia to Turkey. From 2006, he concurrently represented Georgia in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ambassadorship in Turkey
As Ambassador to Turkey, Mgaloblishvili played a significant role in bolstering trade between the two countries. He prioritized combating corruption and addressing the "weaknesses of past administration." During his ambassadorship, visa requirements were eased, the Kars-Tbilisi railway project was initiated, and the Batumi airport was reconstructed with substantial Turkish involvement.
Mgaloblishvili also negotiated an agreement increasing Georgia's natural gas transit quota from Azerbaijan to Turkey, a crucial move in light of Gazprom's rising gas prices for Georgia.
Prime Ministership
On October 27, 2008, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili nominated Mgaloblishvili as the new Prime Minister, replacing Lado Gurgenidze. Saakashvili described Mgaloblishvili as an "expert in attracting investment." The change in premiership followed growing criticism of Saakashvili's administration after the August 2008 South Ossetia conflict.
Mgaloblishvili briefly considered forming a coalition government that would include opposition representatives. However, the opposition criticized him as politically obscure, labeling him a "dark horse."
The Georgian Parliament approved Mgaloblishvili's candidacy on November 1, 2008. Under his leadership, only four ministers (refugees, ecology, justice, and culture) were replaced. The key power ministers, blamed by the opposition for Georgia's defeat in the August conflict, retained their positions, while no opposition members received ministerial appointments.
Mgaloblishvili's government prioritized reducing unemployment, combating poverty, and attracting investment, which had declined after the war. He emphasized the promotion of economic, social, media, and judicial freedoms. On November 10, 2008, he confirmed his government's anti-Russian stance, accusing Russia of violating the August 12 ceasefire agreement.
Personal Life
Mgaloblishvili is fluent in Georgian, Russian, English, Turkish, and German. He is married and has two children.
