TBILISI, November 4 (RIA Novosti, Marina Kvaratskhelia) - Georgian Minister for Refugees Eteri Astemirova has tendered resignation, the ministry said Friday.
The ministry's press service said Astemirova had sent a letter of resignation to Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli Friday morning.
"The minister decided to resign over restructuring of the ministry, and there is no other reason," the press service said.
"My resignation from the ministerial post is my personal decision, and it is not related to any problems with the government team I worked with," Astemirova told the Novosti-Georgia agency.
"I resign over the upcoming reform and restructuring of the ministry. I think that my team and I have done a good job, and now it is time to give way to a new young team," she added.
The minister said she did not know yet what she would do next. "I can only say for sure that I will continue to represent the government team I worked with, because I have always felt part of it, and never had any problems [with them]," Astemirova said.
She declined to name her successor, and said the candidate would be announced soon.
The Georgian government is working to form a new agency, tentatively a ministry of regional policy, local self-government and territorial structure.
A bill to the effect can be sent to parliament next week. Parliament is simultaneously debating a bill on self-government.
The Georgian cabinet presently consists of 13 ministries, and also includes four state ministers for Euro-Atlantic integration, conflict resolution, economic reform and civil integration.
