Georgian PM highlights State Security Service’s “special role” on anniversary

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday emphasised the "special role" of the State Security Service in identifying and preventing threats facing the country, while congratulating employees on the ninth anniversary of the office's establishment.

Numerous far-reaching changes, reforms have been carried out in the Service since inception. Ultimately, the body has been shaped into a robust structure protecting the safety of our country's population and effectively safeguarding our state sovereignty”, he said.

Kobakhidze commended the “professionalism and patriotism” of the body’s personnel and credited them with averting potential risks, particularly in light of the challenging regional context.

It should be credited directly to you that over the past few years, especially after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, all risks possibly conceived by destructive forces both at home and abroad have been successfully prevented”, he said.

We are a small country. We are forced to exist in a most complex region, and the regional context has grown exceptionally complex today. Consequently, we will continue setting our hope in you, that you will ensure state security as effectively as you have in the course of the past years”, Kobakhidze added.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted the body’s role in responding to processes related to occupation and affirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting and empowering the Service in its mission to maintain peace and stability.

The Government is committed to maintaining peace despite the serious pressure, which is likely to persist for some time. I am convinced that the Service will continue playing a special role in this cause in the future”, he said.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili also pledged commitment to promoting the development of the Service, also thanking its leaders and personnel for their efforts toward maintaining peace and stability in the country.

As part of anniversary celebrations, 380 employees of the body were honoured with awards recognising their contributions, the Government Administration said.

Liluashvili also presented awards to Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and Alexandre Tabatadze, the Chair of the Parliamentary Defence and Security Committee.