The Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili and the Allied Maritime Command Deputy Commander, Vice Admiral Herv Blejean have summed up the NATO-Georgia maritime cooperation with media.
Giorgi Mgebrishvili open the press conference by thenking the Embassy of Bulgaria to Georgia and NATO Liaison Office for their support in organizing the port visit of SNMCMG2 to Georgia. The Minister outlined the importance of the Coast Guard Department of the MIA Border Police of Georgia to the Black Sea Security.
“It’s an important day and I’m honored to be hosting the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) vessels to Georgia. I want to thank Allied Maritime Command Deputy Commander, Vice Admiral Herv Blejean for being here today with us. This visit is a demonstration of NATO’s continued commitment to Georgia. We have an intense cooperation, as this has been the third visit of SNMCMG2 to Georgia.
As you are aware the Coast Guard Department under the MIA border Police of Georgia carries out maritime security and law-enforcement activities in the Territorial waters of Georgia. Thus capacity building of the Georgian Coast guard is essential for us. There are many innovations in this regard, including creation of a single marine picture and strengthening of inter-agency cooperation means. Here should be outlined the MIA Joint Maritime Operations Centre (JMOC). Further development of the Centre and Modernization of the Coast Guard fleet is ongoing.
Euro-Atlantic integration is the main priority of our country's foreign policy. We are doing our best to develop our capabilities in line with NATO standards and provide interoperability with the Alliance," – declared the Minister of Internal Affairs.
The Allied Maritime Command Deputy Commander, Vice Admiral Herv Blejean, the Deputy Head of Mission at NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, Rosaria Puglisi, and Commander of SNMCMG2, Commander Justin Hains also answered the journalists’ questions at the press conference.
The Allied Maritime Command Deputy Commander introduced the commanders of the SNMCMG2 ships to Giorgi Mgebrishvili and hosted the latter on the board of the Romanian frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) vessels will remain in Batumi port till November 6 and will participate in various Passing Exercises along with members of the Georgian Coast Guard. The aim of set of exercises is to enhance interoperability between the Georgian, Allied and Partner forces.
