EU AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) PROVIDED THE BORDER POLICE WITH NEW EQUIPMENT

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided Drone, DSLR and video cameras to the MIA Border Police with financial assistance from the European Union to enhance the capabilities of the strategic communications unit. Border police also received computers and safety equipment for climbing heights. The official website of the Border Police (bpg.gov.ge) was also updated with the support of the IOM.  

During the meeting, the Head of MIA Border Police, Major General Nikoloz Sharadze, and the Chief of the Georgian Mission to the IOM, Sanja Celebic Lukovac, signed the equipment transfer agreement.

The Deputy Head of MIA Border Police, Giorgi Malania, the Director of the International Relations Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ekaterine Machavariani, the Deputy Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Georgia, Catalin Gherman, and the representatives of the Border Police and the IOM attended the event.

Major General Nikoloz Sharadze thanked the EU and IOM representatives for their contribution to the development of the Border Police and spoke about the priorities and current projects of the agency.

Border Police received the new equipment from the IOM as a part of the EU-funded project Sustaining Border Management and Migration Governance in Georgia (SBMMG). The project aims to strengthen the capacities of Georgian authorities in the areas of integrated border management and migration governance.

During 2020-2021, with the support of the IOM and the financial assistance from the European Union, the Border Police received more than 4.5 million GEL worth of detection, communication and transport equipment, office and personal security gear.