International Cooperation

BILATERAL AND REGIONAL COOPERATION

International Cooperation of the Border Police is based on the universally recognized principles of international law and the common interests of Georgia, foreign countries and international organizations to coordinate activities in the border area, deepen cooperation and resolve border issues. The aim of international cooperation is, within the scope of its competence, to find the best international practice, process it and, based on the information and experience gained, initiate processes to facilitate the development of the Border Police.

International cooperation is carried out in bilateral and multilateral formats. Border Police also works closely with international organisations.

To strengthen border security, one of the most essential areas of international cooperation is cooperation with relevant agencies of neighbouring countries: the Republic of Turkey, Republic of Azerbaijan and Republic of Armenia. Russian Federation is an exception, as diplomatic relations have been suspended since the events of 2008.

Patrol vessels are exchanged between the Georgian Border Police and the General Staff of the Republic of Turkey within the framework of annual bilateral military cooperation plans; Bilateral visits of patrol vessels and meetings of military dialogue are held; Border units of Georgia and the Republic of Turkey participate in joint exercises; Border police officers undergo annual training and advanced training in Turkish educational institutions. The Border Police works closely with the border authorities of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova and the German Federal Police.

Within the framework of the annual bilateral military cooperation plans between the Border Police of Georgia and the General Staff of the Republic of Turkey, two units are actively exchanging patrol boat personnel; holding bilateral visits of patrol boats and military meetings; participating in joint exercises; Border Police personnel are undergoing annual training and professional development courses in Turkish educational institutions. The Border Police also works closely with the border authorities of Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova and the German Federal Police.

To ensure regional security, the Border Police actively collaborates with the countries of the Black Sea region, both in bilateral and multilateral formats (Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria).

Cooperation in multilateral formats is based on the agreements on the establishment of the Black Sea Naval Co-Operation Task Group (2001) and the agreement on Black Sea Littoral States Border/Coast Guard Agencies Cooperation Forum (2006).

The existing cooperation in the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership project, which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the EU, its member states and Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine, must be noted. The Border Police is also actively cooperating with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Border Police closely works with the British Embassy and the Office of the Military Attaché, as well as with the National Military General Staff of Greece in terms of Border Police personnel professional development.

Strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Georgia in the field of border security is aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the country and the region. Cooperation between the countries is based on the principle of mutual support. Given the threats and challenges in the region and the country, the U.S. and Georgian governments are working closely to develop border protection capabilities, enhance Euro-Atlantic integration, ensure effective export controls, establish international standards for non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, provide expert assistance and support border guards’ professional development.

In 2020-2021, with the assistance of various U.S. Government programmes, the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS), the infrastructure at five Land Border Sectors was renewed, Border Sectors were equipped with border incident detection and response capabilities, as well as signal and communications devices.

With the support of the U.S. Government, the Black Sea Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is underway. The initiative includes two phases: phase I – the replacement of Coast Guard Radar Stations’ radars with modern radars and equipping them with video surveillance (video cameras) and radio communications systems. Phase II - upgrading radar and communication equipment on floating vessels, as well as setting up a video monitoring (video cameras) system.

To improve the Border Police capacity, an Integrated Border Management project is underway within the framework of the EU4 Security, Accountability and Fight against Crime in Georgia (SAFE) programme. The project is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Within the framework of the project, the Georgian Border Police was equipped with border incident response, signal and communications devices. Within the framework of this project, four “Defender” type modern Patrol Fast Response Boat was transferred to the Georgian Coast Guard Department (with financial support of European Union and with the coordination of IOM). Also, in the framework of this project an electronic surveillance system at two Land Border Protection Sectors was arranged and also, Distance Learning System was established at Border Sectors.


SECTOR JUTA BEFORE AND AFTER				SECTOR LEKISKURE BEFORE AND AFTER

COOPERATION WITH THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

In the framework of NATO-Georgia cooperation, the Border Police is actively involved in the development of the following important documents: NATO Annual National Programme (ANP); NATO Planning and Review Process Document (PARP); NATO Military Committee and Georgia Military Work Plan (MC + GEO WP); Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP), which includes the Maritime Security Initiative, and is aimed at strengthening the Border Police Coast Guard capabilities and responds to NATO's stated goal of ensuring Black Sea security and practical cooperation with Georgia in this process. The project is led by Latvian and Georgian experts (representative of the Border Police Coast Guard Department), who are coordinating the implementation of the initiative.

The Border Police work closely with the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). As part of this cooperation, the Border Police has been sending a Liaison Officer to MARCOM Headquarters since 2014 to facilitate the exchange of information and further deepen the existing bilateral relations. The activities of the Liaison Officer are regulated based on Memoranda of Understanding signed with MARCOM, the updated version of which was signed on July 27, 2020.

Twice a year, the Border Police hosts the operational units of the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in the Georgian territorial waters. These visits are a practical example of the successful cooperation between NATO and Georgia on Black Sea security issues and confirmation of NATO’s support to Georgia.

Boarding Teams (Tactical Units) of the Georgian Coast Guard successfully accomplished NATO OCC E&F evaluation 4 year process, which paved the way to Georgia's Operational partner status to NATO-led maritime security operation ''Sea Guardian''. The North Atlantic Council (NAC) made the positive decision and Georgia has been granted Operational Partner Status to the Operational Sea Guardian (OSG).

COOPERATION WITH THE EUROPEAN BORDER AND COAST GUARD AGENCY

On February 11, 2021, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Vakhtang Gomelauri, and the Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), Fabrice Leggeri, signed a new working agreement on operational cooperation. The agreement replaced the document signed between the parties in 2008 and defined new directions of the partnership. The main areas of cooperation, between the agencies, are border management, the fight against illegal migration and cross-border crime.