The Head of the MIA Border Police paid an official visit to the United States. In the framework of the visit, Colonel Nikoloz Sharadze met with the Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard for Operations, Vice-Admiral Scott Buschman in Washington.

The Director of the Coast Guard Department, CAPT Ramaz Papidze, the Defence Attaché of Georgia to the United States, Col Zezva Liparteliani, the Director of International Affairs and Foreign Policy Advisor for the U.S. Coast Guard Ann Castiglione-Cataldo, the U.S. Coast Guard International Affairs and Foreign Policy Officer Shewit Habtemicheal and the U.S. Marine Corps Attaché to Georgia, Lt. Col. Carl Wethe.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the possibilities for future cooperation in the maritime field and underlined the importance of further deepening the existing bilateral relations.

The Head of the Border Police talked about the significance of U.S. Coast Guard ships visiting Georgian Ports and conducting joint exercises with the Georgian counterparts.

Nikoloz Sharadze thanked the American side and expressed full readiness to further deepen the existing cooperation.

In the framework of the visit to the United States, the Georgian delegation will attend the graduation ceremony of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCG) Class of 2021 in New London. This year, two Georgian cadets - Nikoloz Tvildiani and Sandro Stazhadze are among the graduates of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. After successfully completing the four-year undergraduate course, they will return to Georgia and serve in the Coast Guard.