The official Decommissioning Ceremony of the Patrol Ship “KUTAISI” was held at the Poti Coast Guard Base of the MIA Border Police of Georgia. During 50 years Patrol ship “KUTAISI” performed very important missions under the Naval Forces of Republic of Turkey, as well as under the Coast Guard of Georgian Border Police.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey, H. E. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Colonel Burak Altiner, Military Attaché of the Republic of Turkey, Lieutenant Commander Fatih Bali, Deputy Military Attaché of the Republic of Turkey and Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Batumi, Riza Rağan Yilmaz attended the ceremony. The Director of Georgian Coast Guard, Captain, Ramaz Papidze hosted the Guests.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey, H. E. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, expressed an appreciation to the Coast Guard Department of the Georgian Border Police. She pointed out, that Ship decommissioning tradition is expression of respect, cooperation, professionalism and carried out work, which enhances the long – standing friendship and mutual cooperation between the Republic of Turkey and Georgia. The Ambassador, also, highlighted, that “two friends: Georgia and Turkey are the Strategic Partners, doing everything in East Black Sea for each other security, as well as for Black Sea Security in general”.

The Director of the Coast Guard Department of Georgia, Captain, Ramaz Papidze on behalf of Georgian Border Police, expressed an appreciation to the Turkish side for their support and underlined the existing fruitful and successful cooperation between republic of Turkey and Georgia in enchasing Maritime Security.

In 1998, “Kutaisi” was transferred to Georgia on temporary base and until 2009 was Part of Georgian Navy. After uniting Navy with Coast Guard in 2009, the Vessel “Kutaisi” was under the Coast Guard Department of the Border Police of Georgia until Present.
Vessel “KUTAISI” participated in several significant operations and international exercises under the Flag of the Republic of Turkey, as well as under the Georgian Flag.