Border surveillance systems, off road vehicles and buses were handed over to the Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.

The equipment was provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with the financial assistance of the European Union, within the framework of the projects: “EU4 Security, Accountability And Fight Against Crime in Georgia (SAFE) - Integrated Border Management” and “Border And Migration Management Action For Georgia (BMMAG)”.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs – Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, Head of the Border Police – Nikoloz Sharadze, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia – Pawel Herczynski and the Chief of IOM Georgia Mission – Sanja Celebic Lukovac attended the handover ceremony.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze expressed his gratitude towards border guards for their loyal service and noted that strengthening integrated border management is one of the priority directions of the Ministry. The Deputy Minister also thanked the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia - Pawel Herczynski and the Chief of IOM Georgia Mission - Sanja Celebic Lukovac for the continuous support and years of close cooperation.

Surveillance systems placed at the Georgia – Azerbaijan state border will significantly strengthen the direction of border protection. Modern surveillance systems will improve the control capabilities of border sections, which will contribute to the detection and prevention of crimes.

The European Union continuous to support the process of integrated border management in Georgia, which includes development and modernization of border management systems. The aim of the above mentioned projects is to enhance the capacities of Georgian authorities in the areas of integrated border management and migration governance in line with relevant EU- Georgia cooperation frameworks and action plans, in particular the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.