US lauds Georgia’s “robust engagement” in counterterrorism efforts as stalwart partner
The report highlighted Georgia's success in maintaining a stable and secure environment throughout the year. Photo: US Embassy press office
Tweet 
Share
The United States Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism for 2022 has highlighted Georgia's “robust engagement” in counterterrorism efforts, portraying the nation as a stalwart partner in global security.
The report published this week showcased Georgia's success in maintaining a stable and secure environment throughout the year and stressed the country’s State Security Service had prevented an attempted assassination of an Israeli national in November, foiling a plot allegedly led by Iranians associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The document noted that “no Georgian nationals were identified as travelling to Syria or Iraq in 2022 for terrorist activities” and "Georgia did not repatriate any Foreign Terrorist Fighters or associated family members from Syria or Iraq”.
Legal measures against terrorism were also emphasised in the report, with the conviction of five Georgian citizens affiliated with the terrorist organisation Islamic State, who had been detained in 2021.
The enactment of the 2022-2026 National Counterterrorism Strategy and Action Plan demonstrated the nation's commitment to comprehensive counterterrorism measures, the report read.
It highlighted the nation's “active participation” in international exercises and US-conducted training, along with the finalisation of the 2023-2027 Integrated Border Management Strategy and the implementation of advanced passenger information systems.
The report also pointed to challenges in resource constraints impacting border security and said the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs had requested US support for necessary equipment, including iris readers, replacement engines for patrol boats, and rapid response team gear.
It also stressed Georgia’s continuing efforts in minority integration, education, media access, youth engagement, and cultural diversity to build societal resilience against extremist influences.
The US Department of State's report also commended Georgia's active participation in international organisations such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Interpol, and the Georgia-Ukraine-Azerbaijan-Moldova Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development.
The document made a mention of the continued occupation of Georgian territories by Russia and the former’s inability to control a portion of its internationally recognised land border with Russia, before highlighting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and making a formal application for EU membership in March 2022.
The importance of the existing strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States and strengthening their cooperation in “various fields” were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Louis Bono, the US Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations.
The United States Department of State's 2021 Country Report on Terrorism on Tuesday said Georgia had continued its “robust engagement” on counterterrorism issues throughout that year and remained a “strong” security partner for the United States.
The Georgian state security service on Tuesday said its counterintelligence department had prevented the assassination of an Israeli citizen in the country by a group involving individuals with Pakistani and dual Georgian-Iranian citizenships, who have been arrested.
The US Department of State Country Report on Terrorism 2020 says that ‘Georgia is generally capable of detecting, deterring, and responding to terrorism incidents.’ The report says that ‘Georgia continued its robust engagement across a range of counterterrorism issues in 2020,’ noting that no terrorist incidents took place in the country in 2020.
The agenda of the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Josh Huck, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
The importance of strategic partnership and “strong security cooperation” between Georgia and the United Kingdom was reviewed on Friday in a meeting between Grigol Liluashvili, the Head of the State Security Service of Georgia, and Mark Clayton, the British Ambassador to the country.
The current counter-terrorist situation in the world, the wider region and Georgia was discussed on Sunday in a meeting of the Inter-agency Standing Commission for Developing and Monitoring Implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating Terrorism.
The Georgian State Security Service on Wednesday said it would summon Beka Vardosanidze, a far-right activist and blogger with pro-Russian sentiments, as part of its ongoing investigation over emails that threatened use of explosives against public venues and events over a recent period.
Robin Dunnigan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday commended the “genuine dedication” of the Georgian Government to its partnership with Washington for combating terrorism.