Vehicles with a total value of 693,000 EUR (GEL 2,700,000) will further develop abilities of the Georgian Government to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime.

At an event hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the EU together with project implementer International Organization for Migration (IOM) have donated 30 all-terrain vehicles to the MIA Border Police. The vehicles are part of a larger package of 40 vehicles, 10 of which were donated in November 2020. This transport will contribute to improving detection of illegal activities at the borders and enhance patrolling, as well as response capabilities of border guards.

According to Sanja Celebic Lukovac, IOM Georgia Chief of Mission “today’s donation does not stand alone. It follows up on comprehensive procurement operations implemented by IOM with the support of the EU in the last decade, dedicated to strengthening Georgia’s border management capacities”.

“Improving border security is an important area of cooperation between the EU and Georgia. The vehicles handed over today will contribute to making the Georgian authorities more effective in fighting irregular migration and crime. This is part of the EU's wider support to ensure modern and efficient border management in Georgia – and, in the end, the safety and security of Georgians”, said Carl Hartzell, EU Ambassador to Georgia.

This action with a total budget of EUR 6 million is part of a wider EU funded programme - EU4 Security, Accountability and Fight against Crime in Georgia (SAFE). Over the past years, the EU support to Georgia in the areas of migration and border management has been significant and this donation will be also followed by comprehensive procurement and training activities that will ensure strengthening of Georgia’s border protection capacities.

IOM Chief of Mission, Sanja Celebic Lukovac, EU Ambassador to Georgia, Carl Hartzell and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Giorgi Butkhuzi at Georgian Border Guards facility near "Red Bridge".