Advanced passport reader devices funded by the EU and procured by IOM with a total value of EUR 125,500 (GEL 360,000) will strengthen the ability of Georgian border authorities in implementing effective border control activities to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime.

Tbilisi International Airport, 28 September 2023 - Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia, Mr. Aleksandre Darakhvelidze and the Head of Customs Department of the Revenue Service (RS), Mr. Zurab Sitchinava welcomed the Acting Head of Political, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation to Georgia, Ms. Evija Kotan and the IOM Chief of Mission, Mrs. Sanja Celebic Lukovac to the handover event.

At the event, EU and IOM have formally donated 105 passport reader appliances to the MIA Patrol Police Department (60) and RS Customs Department (45). This sophisticated equipment will be deployed at border crossing points across Georgia and will contribute to improving effectiveness of border checks and strengthening document fraud detection to identify potential violators, thus preventing cases of irregular migration and cross-border crime. The advanced devices are capable of scanning the full data page of passports and other identity documents, while also capturing data from an electronic repository embedded in those documents to enhance the verification process.

The activity was implemented in the framework of two EU-funded and IOM implemented projects:

• The action titled “SAFE - Support to Integrated Border Management in Georgia”, with a budget of 8.2 million Euros, was launched in December 2019 and envisages significant procurement and range of technical assistance components dedicated to enhancing legal, institutional and operational capabilities of border authorities in Georgia. The project is a part of the wider “EU4 Security, Accountability and Fight against Crime in Georgia (SAFE)” Programme.
• The action titled “Border and Migration Management Action for Georgia (BMMAG)” was launched in 2022. The overall objective of the project is to support the Government of Georgia in sustaining more effective border management and migration governance. 

Both projects follow up on comprehensive EU support in the last 10 years, dedicated to strengthening Georgia’s migration and border management capabilities, to cement compliance with relevant EU-Georgia Agreements and the visa liberalisation benchmarks.