First Deputy Foreign Minister George Zurabashvili has been appointed Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia while retaining his current position, Irakli Kobakhidze announced on October 21. The position has been vacant since December 2025.
The appointment does not signal any change in the government’s position on relations with Russia, Kobakhidze said during the briefing, noting that while the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the Georgian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow are continuing their work, “we saw the need to reappoint a special representative.”
“Restoring diplomatic relations has its own barrier. This reality has not changed, and accordingly neither has our attitude,” Kobakhidze said, noting that “peaceful resolution of the conflict with the Russian Federation, the preservation and development of existing trade and economic relations, and the maintenance of a permanent dialogue on humanitarian issues” remain Georgia’s “most important priorities.”
“In the absence of diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Russian Federation, the post of the Prime Minister’s Special Representative, together with the Geneva format, is of key importance in carrying out these tasks,” Kobakhidze added.
Describing Zurabashvili as “a highly experienced diplomat,” Kobakhidze said he had held various senior civil service positions, including director of several Foreign Ministry departments and ambassador. Zurabashvili was appointed Deputy Foreign Minister in 2024 and First Deputy Foreign Minister on July 1, 2025.
Zurabashvili replaces Giorgi Kajaia, who took up the post in March 2024 after a four-year term as Head of Georgia’s Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Russia, and held it until December 2025, according to Kobakhidze. Kajaia succeeded Zurab Abashidze, who served as Special Representative from 2012 and was later appointed Kobakhidze’s advisor.
The post was established as part of the informal direct dialogue between Georgia and Russia launched in late 2012, commonly known at the time as the Abashidze-Karasin format. The format was launched to address issues related to trade, economic, humanitarian, and cultural aspects of bilateral relations – issues on which both Tbilisi and Moscow said was possible to make progress, as diplomatic relations remain cut amid Russia’s continued occupation of Georgian territories and its recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions as “independent states.”
“We are confident that Mr. Zurabashvili, with his knowledge and experience, will best fulfill the tasks assigned to the Prime Minister’s Special Representative,” Kobakhidze said.
Zurabashvili thanked Kobakhidze for his trust, saying: “It is a very important issue, and for my part, I will do everything to carry out the tasks that Georgia needs.”
Russia, which remains a major destination for Georgian wine and other beverages, has recently imposed import restrictions on some products from several Georgian producers, including Nabeghlavi mineral water, produced by Healthy Water; Coca-Cola produced in Georgia; beer from Georgian Beer Company; wines from Teliani Valley, Tbilvino and Wineman; and wine and cognac from Askaneli Brothers.
In spring 2006, Russia similarly banned the imports of Georgian wine and mineral water, a move seen at the time as part of Moscow’s strategy to put pressure on the westward-looking Tbilisi.
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