We would like to respond, to the report of the assurance audit of the State Audit Office, which was conducted in the Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
First of all, we would like to inform the society that the report of the State Audit is for 2019 – 2020 years and doesn’t include the information about the progress and important reforms implemented in the next years. According the methodology of the conducting of the State Audit, in the published report it is not presented information about the implementation of its recommendations.
Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs implements important reforms and innovations to support the enhancement of the Border Protection.
In 2022, 10 year Development Strategy of the Country and it’s implementation plan was adopted which covers each ministries, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia’s future reforms and strategic aims for the next years. The strategy includes Border Police Development Plan which we are implementing consecutively.
Georgian Government adopted State Border Integrated Management (IBM) Strategy for 2023 – 2027 years.
Report of the State Audit presents the information about Border Aviation during the conducting of the Audit years. Currently, the problems presented by Audit are significantly improved. particularly, for the first time in the History of Independent Georgia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, procured 3 modern, European ,,H 145” type helicopters. “H 145” is a multipurpose helicopter with a capacity to perform police, logistical, search and rescue operations. “H 145” is the latest model, which is successfully operated by the police and emergency management services of Germany, Switzerland, France, and Canada. First helicopter will be arrived at the end of this year, in Georgia. It is noteworthy to mention, that technical service of the existed helicopters regularly is conducted, according to the regulations in accordance with the norms of international standards.
Also, from January 1 of 2023, the Main Division of Special Aviation of Border Police was transformed into the Department of Special Aviation of Border Police. The salary of the pilots was increased significantly and the equipment and uniform of the servicemen of the Border Aviation was improved. Also, the legal documentation regarding the implementation of flights were settled.
Regarding the Coast Guard:
The Report of State Audit of 2019 – 2010 years, also, covers the challenges of the Coast Guard Department. We would like to inform, that significant positive steps were taken in the direction of Georgian Coast Guard development. In particular:
For the first time, of the Georgian History, North Atlantic Alliance Granted Georgia Operational Partner Status to the Security Operation Sea Guardian (OSG). Currently, agreement is ongoing between National Ministry of Defence of Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, regarding the placing the Georgian boarding teams (tactical units) on the vessels of Hellenic Maritime Forces in 2023, for the participation of boarding teams in NATO - led maritime security operation.
Currently, Georgian Coast Guard fleet consists of 19 vessels, including 4 “defender” type modern patrol boats, donated by EU.
It is noteworthy , that modern CCTV cameras were installed on the vessels. Also, the engines of the search and rescue boats were repaired and renewed.
Regardless the technical improvement, the retraining and equipped of servicemen Coast Guard servicemen is in active process.
The report of state Audit, also, include the problems regarding the Land Border Protection.
Definitely, nowadays the challenges exist and we are working permanently in order to ensure better working conditions for Border Guards protecting State Borders 24 hours. In addition to that, Border police is developing the border protection infrastructure ( border sectors) and consequently working conditions are significantly improved. These facts are known to the media and our reports also include the above-mentioned information.
Regarding the improvement of efficiency of border protection of “Green Border”, with the support of state budget and international partners, significant, positive steps are taken in the direction of improvement management and control mechanisms, renovation of border infrastructure and equipping border guards with modern means of border protection.
Regarding the improvement of efficiency of border protection of called “Green Border”, with the support of state budget and international partners, significant, positive steps are taken in the direction of organizing of border protection, improvement management and control mechanisms, also improvement of border infrastructure and equip by modern technical means of border protection.
In the last years, the following border sectors were built: “Juta”, “Chichkhituri”, “Niala”, “Truso” and “Chirukhi”. In 2023, it will be started and in the nearest future will be completed, up to ten new Border Sectors.
Development and adoption process of modern electronic Surveillance Systems of Land Border Protection, is ongoing, to support the response to the violations, prevention and detection of border irregularities in the Border Zone and Border Line.
On the segment of Georgian – Azerbaijan State Border a modern electronic surveillance system was installed and along with obstacle fence.
It is noteworthy to mention, that Georgian Border Police, with its own resources, installed obstacle fence and the alarm system (Electric Fence) on the various segments of the state border.
The Border Sectors of the Land Border Protection Department were equipped with the modern, various types of communication, surveillance and technical means of land border protection, including trap – cameras, binoculars, thermal imagers, night vision devices and etc.
The report of State Audit covers legal and technical problems of the equipment of MIA Border Police. In 2022, the relevant order was adopted, which determines the standards of the numbers of arms and combat means at the border sectors. Accordingly, new equipment were transferred to the Border Guards.
For the first time in the History of Independent Georgia, the border regime was established on the land state border. Administrative responsibility and differentiated penalties are defined for the violation of the Border Regime.
For the first time, MIA Border Police installed border signs in the Border Zones and Border Lines.
Installation of Border Signs and implementation of the penalty system strengthened the Land Border Protection.
Response capabilities (vehicles) of Border Police has been improved. After 2019 – 2020 years, up to 200 means of transformation were transferred to the Border Police, including water – tanks, snowmobiles, trucks, buses and etc.
Regarding the uniforms of servicemen, as it is known, during pandemic period, production process was delayed not only in Georgia but in the whole world. The tender procedures are strictly written and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has no right to implement the procurement bypassing the set procedures. Nowadays, each servicemen has the uniform according to the modern standards and relevant to the season.
Regarding the feeding system, the servicemen of Border Police on the border sectors and vessels of the Coast Guard are provided with the relevant caloric value food.
Regarding the K9, there are no defined standards of the numbers of dogs not only in Georgia, but in other countries as well. Also, in the last period the number of service dogs and dog handlers doubled, which corresponds to the tasks of the agency.
In 2021 – 2022, the Land Border Protection as well as Rapid Response components were enhanced. The important reform was implemented in the Rapid Response Main Division and according to this, the number of servicemen, also technical and material resources were increased.
As a result of the above – mentioned implemented reforms and progress, Land Border, as well as Maritime Space is controlled efficiently and thoroughly. The Servicemen of MIA Border Police, during 24 hours, are protecting the State Borders, particularly taken into the consideration existing the difficulties in the region.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia is ready to answer to all the posed questions with the relevant figures and information.
