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Georgia's parliament has officially approved ex-Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili as the nation's prime minister, days after 33-year-old Irakli Garibashvili suddenly resigned, according to dw.com.

In a surprise move, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has tendered his resignation less than a year before parliamentary elections. The premier did not give the reason for his decision.

"The parliament has approved the new government by 86 votes to 28," parliamentary speaker David Usupashvili announced on Wednesday.
The parliament's decision will be handed to President Giorgi Margvelashvili for final ratification.

Kvirikashvili told Georgian lawmakers ahead of the vote that his cabinet's focus will be on "economic development and ensuring people's wellbeing."

"Full European integration with an eventual goal of EU membership, as well as NATO membership is our top priority," Kvirikashvili said. "Our pragmatic approach towards Russia aims first and foremost to lessen risks to prevent threats to our main foreign policy course."

The parliament also approved his choice of cabinet, which remained unchanged from the previous one under ex-Prime Minister Garibashvili, except for the appointment of a new foreign minister to replace himself.