At the event, hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the Revenue Service (RS) at Tbilisi International Airport on 11 November 2021, the EU together with project implementer, International Organization for Migration (IOM), have donated 63 pieces of ARH Osmond R passport readers to the MIA Patrol Police Department and RS Customs Department. This sophisticated equipment will be deployed at border crossing points of Georgia and will contribute to improving the effectiveness of border control and strengthening the verification of travel documents. The devices automatically read and record the personal data of travellers, they are capable of scanning the full page of a passport’s data page while capturing data from an electronic repository (known as an RFID chip).​ Advanced passport reader devices with a total value of 80,000 EUR (GEL 300,000) will further develop the capacities of the Georgian Government to enhance border control and combat irregular migration.

This action is part of a significant EU-funded programme, implemented by IOM, in the areas of migration and border management. This support is a continuation of comprehensive procurement and training activities that are aimed at strengthening Georgia’s border management capacities in compliance with the benchmarks of the EU visa-free travel suspension mechanism.