Minister of Interior of State of Bavaria: “We want to deepen ties with Georgia”

A top German minister is praising the already strong relationship Germany has with Georgia but is seeking to deepen ties and forge closer cooperation.

Germany’s Minister of Interior of the State of Bavaria, Joachim Herrmann, told Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili that he wished to see closer cooperation between German and Georgian law enforcement agencies.

I want to thank Georgia’s Interior Minister for his visit that will encourage closer future cooperation. We have discussed a range of very important issues. It is of utmost importance for us to retain security on our federal lands, as well as in Georgia,” Hermann stated.

Bavaria’s law enforcement bodies are actively cooperating with other countries’ similar structures. Relations with Georgia are of high importance for us as well. Of course this type of cooperation and deep cooperation already exists but we want to further enhance the partnership,” the German official added. 

Georgia's Minister of Internal Affairs will complete his foreign trip on April 6. Photo by Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

Hermann told Mgebrishvili, who is on an official trip to Germany, that the number of crimes committed by Georgians in the German state of Bavaria was "very low.” 

Mgebrishvili said the fact Georgians were not among the top 20 countries whose citizens committed crimes in Bavaria was welcomed but this was not a reason for celebration.

We should decrease such figures to a minimum. We are ready to enhance ties both in operative and non-operative directions,” Mgebrishvili said. 

Hermann noted 99 percent of Georgians who applied for political asylum in Bavaria were refused, as local officials doubted no one had been persecuted in Georgia and their motives for seeking shelter could be related to some other, illegal means.

Furthermore, he highlighted the top work of Georgia’s police attaché in 16 federal lands of Germany and said all readmission documents sent to Georgia were appropriately responded to. 

The Georgian Minister started his official Germany visit today after visiting France. Looking ahead he was scheduled to hold several other meetings before returning to Georgia on April 6.