Georgian Coast Guard professionals awarded in 25th anniversary
In celebrations of the anniversary, the Border Police head also laid a wreath at the memorial of servicemembers who died in the line of duty in the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia
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Professionals of the Coast Guard Department of the Border Police of Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday received awards for their service in an occasion marking the 25th anniversary of the body in western Georgia's port city of Poti.
The employees of the Department were distinguished for their “exceptional service” with the awards, the Ministry said, adding Border Police head Nikoloz Sharadze highlighted their “important role” in upholding maritime security of the country through service in “challenging” marine security and safety missions.
He also said the anniversary was being marked on the back of “significant successes”, with NATO granting the Department the status of an operational partner for its Sea Guardian maritime security operation last year.
Sharadze said the milestone had been reached after law enforcement tactical units of the Georgian Coast Guard “effectively” completed a four-year evaluation for NATO’s Operational Capability Concept Evaluation and Feedback Programme.
In celebrations of the anniversary, the Border Police head also laid a wreath at the memorial of servicemembers who died in the line of duty in the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.
The Georgian Parliament has approved the engagement of the country’s Coast Guard professionals in NATO’s Sea Guardian maritime operation in the final plenary session of the lawmaking body on the topic.
Allied Maritime Command, the central command of the NATO maritime forces, held an information training for the Georgian coast guard, introducing the service about the alliance’s maritime security operations, the Georgian border police said on Wednesday.
Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Saturday marked the annual Coast Guard Day by handing out awards to servicemembers for their “exceptional service”, while also celebrating the granting of partner status to the country by NATO for the alliance’s Sea Guardian maritime security operation.
Four high-speed Defender patrol boats have been added to the fleet of the Georgian Coast Guard with the financial support of the European Union, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.
The Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, an immediate reaction force of the alliance, is in Georgia's territorial waters for drills with the Georgian Coast Guard service.
The Emergency Situations Management Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has purchased four high-speed rescue boats to increase the effectiveness of rescue operations, the Ministry said on Tuesday.