David Zalkaliani was appointed Ambassador of Georgia to the United States on April 4, 2022, after serving as Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Soon after Georgia regained its independence in 1991, David Zalkaliani joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an Attaché in the Department of International Organizations in 1992. In 1995, he was promoted to the Deputy Head of the Division of the department.

Zalkaliani was at the forefront in Georgia’s efforts to engage with the global community soon after regaining independence. He worked to strengthen relations between Georgia and the European Community in vital areas, including humanitarian and technical issues. From 1996 to 2000, Zalkaliani served as a Counselor at the Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of Austria and the Permanent Mission of Georgia to the OSCE and International Organizations in Vienna. He was involved in the negotiation process of the Agreement on Adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and participated in several international diplomatic gatherings, including the 1994 Budapest Summit, the 1996 Lisbon Summit, and the 1999 Istanbul Summit. Furthermore, Zalkaliani actively participated in negotiations for the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgian territory.

During Zalkaliani’s diplomatic tenure in Austria, the Georgian mission in Vienna was led by prominent Georgian diplomat Ambassador Levan Mikeladze. Later, Zalkaliani joined Ambassador Mikeladze in engaging with social and political activities in Georgia.

From 2000 to 2001, Zalkaliani continued to serve as a Counselor at the Department for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia—handling the vital task of deepening bilateral cooperation with European partners. From 2001 to 2002, Zalkaliani returned to Vienna to assume the position of Deputy Permanent Representative of Georgia to the OSCE.

From 2002 to 2004, he served as a Senior Counselor at the Embassy of Georgia to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada during which time Georgia and the U.S. significantly strengthened their cooperation in the field of defense and security.

In 2004, Zalkaliani became Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. During his tenure, Zalkaliani expanded Georgia’s political and economic ties with the two countries.

In 2008, Zalkaliani was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Belarus. He left his position as an Ambassador in 2009 to help form the Free Democrats party. Following the victory of the Georgian Dream coalition in the 2012 parliamentary elections, the Georgian dream – Free Democrats parliamentary faction was established and Zalkaliani became First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani helped craft the Georgia-EU Association Agreement as the Chief Negotiator for Georgia. The successful negotiations concluded with the signing of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia, which included the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)—a key milestone for Georgia’s EU integration. Zalkaliani also served as Georgia’s Chief Negotiator at the Geneva International Discussions from 2012-2014, and as the Co-Chair of working groups of the U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership.

In 2015, David Zalkaliani became founding executive director of the Levan Mikeladze Foundation where he lead the organization’s growth, research on public policy, advocacy, diplomatic, and academic and public discussions on foreign policy priorities.

In 2016, Zalkaliani returned to public service as First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In June 2018, He was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and assumed duties of Vice Prime Minister in January 2021. He has since served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Prime Minister of Georgia.

In 1992 Zalkaliani graduated from the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University with a degree in international law. In 2007 Zalkaliani was granted the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. He speaks Georgian, English, and Russian. Zalkaliani is married and has two daughters.

Lizi Kimeridze is Assistant to the Ambassador. Lizi graduated from Seton Hall University in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in “Diplomacy and International Relations”. Lizi focused her diplomacy studies on world languages by enhancing her already fluent Russian in her role as a Professor’s Assistant for the Russian Language Department. She did so while learning Spanish (her fourth language) and acting as a contributing writer to “The Diplomacy Envoy”, Seton Hall’s undergraduate foreign affairs newspaper. Prior to graduation, Lizi interned with Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN World Tourism Organization, and the Tinker Institute on International Law and Organizations (TIILO). Her responsibilities in these roles included: Writing reports on a variety of UN sessions, managing other interns and the communications functions of the TIILO team, preparing strategies and recommendations for action, and creating blogs and scripts regarding policy research.  She is fluent in Georgian, Russian, English, and partially fluent in Spanish.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 201

Khatuna Kveselava joined the Embassy of Georgia to the United States as a Deputy Chief of Mission in October 2022. Prior to her current assignment in Washington, D.C., Khatuna Kveselava served as the Director of the Department of the Americas within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia since September 2021 after having worked as a Deputy Director as part of the same department from 2019 to 2021. Apart from her work on the U.S. – Georgia Strategic Partnership and Georgia’s relations with Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, throughout her diplomatic career Khatuna has focused on Georgia’s security policy and Euro-Atlantic integration. Before joining the Department of the Americas, she was posted in Brussels as a counselor at the Mission of Georgia to NATO from 2014 to 2018 and as a Deputy Director of the Security Policy and Euro-Atlantic Integration Department from 2011 to 2014. In 2021, Khatuna Kveselava was granted the diplomatic rank of Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. She holds a graduate degree in Journalism from the Tbilisi State University and a Master’s degree in International Studies from the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. Before joining the diplomatic service, Ms. Kveselava worked for TV media outlets and taught journalism at leading universities in Georgia.

Salome Imnadze is a career diplomat at the Embassy of Georgia to the United States and serves as a Minister Counsellor. She joined the Foreign Service in 2002 with an extensive background in international law, international economic relations, and multilateral affairs. In her career, Salome has served as the Deputy Head of the International Law and International Economic Relations Departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. During her service, she was posted to the Mission of Georgia to the United Nations in New York and the Mission of Georgia to the European Union in Brussels. Salome holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. In addition to her native Georgian, Salome speaks English, German, and Russian. Salome has two children.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 406

Tamta Rcheulishvili has been serving as the Consular Officer at the Embassy Since August 2020. Her most recent assignment was the consul at the Embassy of Georgia in the Republic of Italy. Previously Tamta served as the Head of Division of the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.  Ms. Rcheulishvili earned a master’s degree in International Law from the University of Hamburg, Germany. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Tbilisi State University. In addition to her native Georgian, she speaks English, Russian, German and some Italian.  She is married and has a son.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 303

Sandro Inashvili is a Counselor at the Embassy of Georgia in the United States. His current portfolio in the Embassy includes relations with policy research institutions, non-governmental organizations and academia. Prior to his current assignment in Washington, he served as the Counselor and 5th Committee delegate at the Mission of Georgia to the United Nations. He joined the Georgian Foreign Service in 2017 as the Counselor of the UN Division of the Department of the International Organizations. During his work at the UN Division, Sandro was working on the UN Security Council and Georgia’s UNGA resolution on internally displaced persons and refugees.

He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Law from Georgian Technical University. In the period from 2017 to 2020 he has completed executive educational and training programs in the Estonian School of Diplomacy; Diplomatic Academy of Vienna; and George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Prior to joining the diplomatic service he worked in the private sector. In his youth years, Sandro Inashvili was involved in the professional rugby as the member of junior national team and other professional clubs. He speaks Georgian, English, Russian and German.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 306

Sophia Vekua is a career diplomat serving as a Counselor since October 2023, covering relations with the executive branches of the U.S. government. She most recently served as a Counselor in the Department of Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Other overseas assignments include missions to regional embassies in Mexico and Argentina. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Tartu and a bachelor’s degree in Law from Ilia State University. In addition to her native Georgian, Sophia speaks English, Spanish and Russian.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 405

Ekaterine Chokheli  is a Senior Counsellor covering defense and security as well as education and culture issues at the Embassy. Ekaterine joined the Foreign Service of Georgia in 2002 and worked in various directions, mostly focusing on Eastern European bilateral affairs. Prior to her recent assignment at the Embassy, she served as the Head of Division in the Department of Europe. Her external postings include the Czech Republic and Australia. She holds Master’s Degree in International Law and International Relations from Tbilisi State University and a Diploma from the Estonian School of Diplomacy.

Ekaterine is married and has three children.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 402

Colonel Robert Argvliani was appointed Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché of Georgia to the United States and Canada in June 2021. Colonel Argvliani’s previous assignments include Deputy Director, J3 Operations Department, General Staff, GDF; Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, GDF; Chief of Planning Section, G3 Division, Eastern Command, GAF; Senior Officer, Training Section, G3 Division, Land Force HQ, GAF; S2 Officer, 36 Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade; Chief of Border Guard Section, 3rd Border Guard Division; Chief of Training Section, 3rd Border Guard Division; Deputy Commander, Border Guard Sector, 3rd Border Guard Division. Colonel Argvliani has served in overseas missions: as GDF’s Senior National Representative (SNR) in Afghanistan Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in 2020; International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in 2010-2011 and 2013-2014; and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007-2008. Colonel Argvliani’s professional military education includes: College of International Security Affairs (CISA), National Defense University, USA (2016-2017); Joint Command and General Staff Course, Baltic Defense College, Estonia (2012-2013); and United Military Academy under the Ministry of Defense of Georgia (1994-1998). He holds a Master’s Degree in International Security Affairs from the U.S. National Defense University (2017) and Bachelor’s Degree in History from National Defense Academy (1998) Tbilisi/Georgia. Colonel Argvliani’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (I – II and III ranks); the General Kvinitadze Medal; the General Mazniashvili Medal; the Devoted to Homeland Medal; the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal – International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan); the NATO Non-article 5 medal for Operation Resolute Support; the US Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and various campaign awards. Colonel Argvliani and his wife Tsitsino have a son.


Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 410

Colonel (COL) Alexander Tugushi was appointed Assistant Defense, Military and Air Attaché of Georgia to the United States and Canada in November 2019. Since commissioned in the Georgian Army in 1997 as a 2nd Lieutenant, COL Tugushi has served variety of command and staff positions in the country and abroad: Deputy Chief of J2 Intelligence Department, Assistant of Minister of Defense of Georgia, Assistant of Commander of Easter Operation Group of Armed Forces, Assistant of Georgian Armed Forces Attaché in USA and Canada, Commanding Officer of 31st Light Infantry Battalion, Commanding Officer of 32nd Light Infantry Batalion, Operations Officer of 3rd Georgian Light Infantry Brigade, Chief of G-3-OP’s of 3rd Georgian Light Infantry Brigade, Operations Officer of Light Infantry Battalion (SOF), Commanding Officer 1st Company (SOF), Commanding Officer of 2nd Platoon, 1st Company (SOF), Platoon Executive Officer (SOF). His Peacekeeping missions and operations abroad include: Peace Squad leader in Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo, twice Chief of S-3 /G-3 Op’s peacekeeping Missions in Iraq, twice commanding officer of Battalion in COIN Operation in Afghanistan. COL Tugushi graduated from Environmental Management Institute of Georgia with a degree in Economy. He is a graduate of Military General Army Commanding High School (Saint Petersburg, Russia); Military Commanding School (Moscow; Russia); General Army Branch and Battalion Commanding Officer’s Course (with distinction) of Join Military Academy (Tbilisi, Georgia). He has gone various military courses and trainings within a country and abroad: Pre-KFOR Deployment Training (Georgia-Turkey), Battalion and Brigade Level Pre-Deployment Course for Iraqi Freedom Movement (OIF), Georgian Deployment Program GDP- ISAF training (Georgia, Germany), Peacekeeping Mission Course (Turkey) and Peacekeeping Mission Course (Germany). COL Tugushi holds numerous state and a military awards: Non Article 5 NATO Medals (KFOR and NATO); Medal for Military Courage; US Medal of Army Commendation (OIF, Iraq); Medals for participation in Peacekeeping Mission (five times); US Medal of Bronze Star (OIF, Iraq); 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Medals of King Vakthang Gorgasali; Medal of General Mazniashvili; Medal of Devoted to Homeland (twice); Medal of Saint George Victory (Georgia); Medal of Kakutsa Cholokashvili; Medal of General Kvinitadze; US Bronze Star (V) – (OEF, Afghanistan); Medal for Combat Merit; Medals for “Meritorious Service” I rank, II rank, and III rank. Col Tugushi and his wife Khatuna have one son.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 410

Colonel (COL) Nicholos Jachvadze was appointed Assistant Defense, Military and Air Attaché of Georgia to the United States and Canada in November 2020. Since joining the Georgian Army in 2003 as an Infantry Officer, COL Jachvadze has served variety of positions in the country and overseas: Officer of Personnel Department of Georgian Armed Forces, Lawyer of Light Infantry Battalion, Lawyer of Infantry Brigade in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Liaison Officer (LNO) at the Senior National Representative’s (SNR) Office of Georgia in Kabul (Afghanistan, ISAF), Chief of G-5 Division of the Training and Military Education Command (TMEC). COL Jachvadze has completed several military courses and training abroad. He is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute, English Language Centre (San Antonio, Texas, USA), Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS, Newport, RI, USA), George C. Marshall European Center For Security Studies (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany). COL Jachvadze holds Master’s degree in Economics and Mathematics as well as Lawyer’s qualification from Tbilisi State University and Master’s degree in Defense Analysis from National Defence Academy of Georgia. Currently, COL Jachvadze is working on his PhD degree in Social Sciences at the Georgian Technical University. COL Jachvadze holds numerous military Awards: Medal “Gen. Mazniashvili”, Medal for Participation in Peacekeeping Missions, US Georgia State Medal, NATO Medal (ISAF), Medals for “Meritorious Service” I rank, II rank, and III rank. COL Jachvadze and his wife Tamar have two Children.

Phone: 202 387 2390 ext. 410

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