EU and IOM Enhance Georgia’s Border Surveillance Capacities

Sophisticated border surveillance equipment together with relevant infrastructure and vehicles, funded by the EU and procured by IOM with a total value of EUR 1.25 million (GEL 3.5 million), will further develop abilities of the Government of Georgia to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime.

Vakhtangisi, 11 April 2023 – Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Aleksandre Darakhvelidze and the Head of Border Police, Mr. Nikoloz Sharadze have welcomed Mr. Pawel Herczynski, EU Ambassador to Georgia and Mrs. Sanja Celebic Lukovac, IOM Chief of Mission to the formal donation ceremony at Vakhtangisi border sector.

Advanced border surveillance system installed at Georgia-Azerbaijan border section, will significantly boost Border Police’s capacities to detect illegal activities at the borders and to utilise existing human and technical resources more efficiently. In addition, donated 10 small 4×4 vehicles will contribute to better access to the remote areas with complex terrain, that will result in improved patrolling and response capabilities for border guards to keep the borders secure. In contrast, busses will improve Border Police performances in rotating staff among regional border outposts, thus contributing to optimising logistics costs.

During the event, Pawel Herczynski, EU Ambassador to Georgia stated “I am very glad that the EU has contributed to modernising the infrastructure of Border Sectors, which will increase the border security of Georgia and ultimately make the lives of Georgian citizens more secure and safe. Our joint cooperation has led to a more effective response to illegal activities at the border, improved search and rescue missions for the Coast Guard, and a more ready Border Police and Patrol Police for whatever challenges they may face. What is also certain is that our good cooperation in border management and security won’t stop here!”

The action titled “Support to Integrated Border Management in Georgia” with overall budget of EUR 8.2 million is implemented by IOM since 2019, in the framework of the EU4 Security, Accountability and Fight against Crime in Georgia (SAFE) programme and aims to contribute to the consolidation of key elements of Integrated Border Management (IBM) in Georgia.

The action titled “Border and Migration Management Action for Georgia (BMMAG)” is implemented by IOM since 2022 under the EU Resilience Facility programme. The overall objective of the project is to support the Government of Georgia in sustaining more effective border management and migration governance. 

Both projects follow up on the comprehensive EU support in the last 10 years, dedicated to strengthening Georgia’s migration and border management capabilities, to cement compliance with relevant EU-Georgia Agreements and the visa liberalisation benchmarks.

For further information please contact:

• Tamriko Mikadze, Press and Information Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, Tamriko.Mikadze@eeas.europa.eu
• Zezva Meskhi, IBM Programme Officer, International Organization for Migration Mission to Georgia, zmeskhi@iom.int