[2] In 1973, he graduated from Mathematics Department of Tbilisi State University and Moscow Academy of Sciences with bachelor's and then doctoral degrees.
[3] When Zviad Gamsakhurdia took over with independence of Georgia, Lortkipanidze left government work finding a job at Tbilisi Research Institute, but with Shevardnadze's return to power in January 1992, he was immediately appointed Chief of Staff of Presidential Administration of Georgia, a post he held until 17 January 1995.
His additional duties were representing the Georgian side in the Russian-mediated negotiations with Abkhazia.
[3] He had good relations with high-ranking officials in the Russian government[7] but at home he was considered pro-Russian by the opposition parties.
[4] Lortkipanidze was appointed State Minister of Georgia on 31 July 1998, shortly after Nikoloz Lekishvili resigned from the post on 26 July due to criticism on economic policies.