Georgian Coast Guard’s Law Enforcement Tactical Team participates in NATO Maritime Security Operation

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Wednesday said the Law Enforcement Tactical Team of its Border Police’s Coast Guard Department had participated for the second time in the NATO Maritime Security Operation Sea Guardian. 

Before the commencement of the operation, 12 employees of the Coast Guard Department underwent three-day pre-deployment training in the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre in Greece.

After completing the training, the team embarked on board the Hellenic Navy Ship - HS AEGEAN to take part in a three-week NATO operation in the Mediterranean Sea consisting of boarding procedures and training.

The body also noted that in the previous year, for the first time in the history of the country, the Georgian unit had participated in the NATO Maritime Security Operation under the status of an Operational Partner.

Among the Alliance’s non-member countries, Georgia has become the first aspirant country, which has been recognised as an Operational Partner for Sea Guardian by the North Atlantic Council, after the completion of the four-year certification programme.

The NATO Operation Sea Guardian represents the only maritime operation conducted under the auspices of the Alliance to combat terrorism, promote freedom for maritime navigation, enhance maritime security capacity, prevent illegal economic activities and raise awareness of maritime situations in an operational area.