Interior Ministry’s 2023 reforms, projects discussed in PM meeting

Ongoing reforms at Georgia’s Interior Ministry and projects in its 2023 plans were discussed on Friday in a meeting of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili with Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and his deputies.

The meeting, which involved the head of the Border Police Nikoloz Sharadze and the head of the Emergency Management Service Teimuraz Mghebrishvili, also focused on the dynamics of the implementation of Georgia's Development Strategy, the Government Administration said.

Gomelauri noted the “unprecedentedly high” rate of crime-solving in law enforcement bodies at over 62 percent, and said the number of crimes had decreased by 3.39 percent.

The Minister stressed reforms at the criminal police, and work for combating organised crime and expanding the network of Georgian police attachés abroad would “actively” continue, adding his agency also pursued work on the implementation of an “analysis-based police concept”.

Gomelauri also informed the head of the Government the Ministry would “actively” continue to work in “priority directions”, including protection of human rights, management of emergency and extreme situations, border management and migration.

The meeting also highlighted that the budget of the Ministry now exceeded ₾1 billion ($374 mln), with the figure including a 20 pay rise of its employees, as well as the development of the Ministry's infrastructural projects and social programmes.

The Minister extended his gratitude to the PM for his support in improving the working conditions and social guarantees of police officers.

On his part, Mgebrishvili reviewed measures to strengthen capabilities of fire and rescue crews and update their equipment this year. Garibashvili thanked the Georgian rescuers currently involved in relief efforts following the earthquake in Turkey on Monday.

Sharadze noted the Ministry’s priority in his direction was to carry out “measures for control” of state borders, noting efforts for strengthening the border police force’s air assets and coast guard were underway.

The meeting also stressed the Ministry’s cooperation with donors, partner countries and organisations for ensuring “active continuation” of its institutional development.