On 5 November 2014 Mindia Janelidze was appointed by Prime Minister Garibashvili as Minister of Defense following the controversial dismissal of Irakli Alasania. Janelidze vowed to continue NATO-oriented "course of development of the armed forces". In his new capacity, Janelidze took part in negotiations with NATO officials over the implementation of "Substantial Package" offered by the alliance to Georgia at its 2014 Wales summit and oversaw the departure of Georgian troops as part of the country's continued commitment to the NATO-led efforts in Afghanistan, now within the frame of follow-on Resolute Support Mission.