Salome Zurabishvili

Salome Zurabishvili is a Georgian-French politician who has been serving as the President of Georgia since December 16, 2018. She is the first woman to hold the office and has previously served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia from March 2004 to October 2005. Zurabishvili has been involved in Georgian politics for many years, working closely with Mikheil Saakashvili, the former President of Georgia, and Eduard Shevardnadze, the former President of Georgia and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. She has also been a member of the United National Movement and has worked with other prominent politicians, including Davit Bakradze and Grigol Vashadze.

● Early Life and Education

Salome Zurabishvili was born in Paris, France to a family of Georgian émigrés, including her father, Levan Zurabishvili, and her mother, Zeinab Kedia. She spent her early years in France and later moved to New York City, where she attended the Columbia University and studied at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Zurabishvili also studied at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris and the University of Paris. She is fluent in several languages, including Georgian, French, English, and Russian. Zurabishvili's family has a long history of involvement in Georgian politics, with her father being a prominent figure in the Georgian émigré community and a close associate of Noe Zhordania, a former Prime Minister of Georgia.

● Career

Zurabishvili began her career in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later worked at the United Nations in New York City. She served as a diplomat in the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. and later became the Ambassador of France to Georgia. In 2003, she was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia by Eduard Shevardnadze and played a key role in Georgia's accession to the Council of Europe. Zurabishvili has also worked closely with other international organizations, including the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. She has been a strong advocate for Georgia's integration into Europe and has worked with prominent European politicians, including Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, and Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.

● Presidency

Zurabishvili was elected as the President of Georgia in the 2018 Georgian presidential election, defeating Grigol Vashadze in the second round. She was inaugurated on December 16, 2018, and became the first woman to hold the office. As president, Zurabishvili has focused on strengthening Georgia's relations with the European Union and NATO, as well as improving the country's economy and infrastructure. She has also been a strong advocate for Georgia's territorial integrity and has worked to resolve the Abkhazia-Georgia conflict and the South Ossetia war. Zurabishvili has met with several world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, and Xi Jinping, the President of China.

● Political Positions

Zurabishvili has been a strong supporter of Georgia's integration into Europe and has advocated for the country's membership in the European Union and NATO. She has also been a vocal critic of Russia's foreign policy and has called for the international community to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as part of Georgia. Zurabishvili has also been a strong advocate for women's rights and has worked to promote gender equality in Georgia. She has been a member of the United National Movement and has worked closely with other prominent politicians, including Mikheil Saakashvili and Davit Bakradze. Zurabishvili has also been a strong supporter of Georgia's relations with the United States and has worked to strengthen the country's ties with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

● Personal Life

Zurabishvili is married to Nicolas Gorjestani, a French businessman, and has two children. She is a member of the Georgian Orthodox Church and has been a strong supporter of the church's role in Georgian society. Zurabishvili has also been a strong advocate for the preservation of Georgian culture and has worked to promote the country's history and traditions. She has been awarded several honors, including the Order of the Golden Fleece (Georgia), the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and the Order of the Legion of Honour. Zurabishvili has also been recognized for her contributions to international relations and has received awards from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Association of Georgia.