Security Service: more intensive international cooperation “critical” in wake of Ukraine war
The Georgian State Security Service highlighted the importance of “more intensive” cooperation with foreign allies on the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Photo: GSSS press office
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An annual report by the Georgian State Security Service on Friday said “more intensive” cooperation with foreign partners and allies was of “critical importance” in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Presented at the Parliament, the report highlighted the role of exchange of information on security matters, with the body noting coordination with foreign agencies had been further strengthened in counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and combating hybrid threats.
Highlighting the United States’ support for both professional development and technical equipment of units of the Georgian Service, the report said it was also “intensively cooperating” with NATO on implementation of initiatives as part of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package.
It also pointed to its engagement in the implementation of the Annual National Programme - a roadmap ensuring Georgia’s alignment with NATO standards.
The agency said it spent 2022 “effectively combating” international terrorism along with partners, including against Islamic State, while also participating in the Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Forum organised by the US and German governments.
Submitted to the Parliament in April, the report was discussed at a joint session of the Parliamentary committees of Defence and Security, and Legal Affairs and Human Rights.
The Georgian State Security Service said 44 persons had been illegally arrested by Russian occupation forces in the vicinity of central Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, and 13 adjacent to the occupied Abkhazia in the north-west of the country, in its annual report for 2022.
Russia used its ongoing aggression against Ukraine to “intensify its annexation efforts” in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions last year, a report by the Georgian State Security Service said.
The embassy of Israel in Georgia on Tuesday thanked Georgia's state security service for their “professional and determined” efforts to ensure the safety of the Israeli citizens after the security service prevented the assassination of an Israeli citizen in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday commended the “crucial role” of the Georgian State Security Service agency in ensuring stability and security in the country and “strengthening Georgia”, in remarks for the seventh anniversary of the body.