The Ministry of Internal Affairs is starting the first phase of renewing the auto park with more eco-friendly automobiles. Today the official handover ceremony took place, which was opened by the Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and The Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs – Giorgi Gakharia.
The ceremony was also attended by the parliament and government members, the Mayor of Tbilisi, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ambassador of Japan to Georgia, representatives of Japanese embassy in Georgia, employees of the “Mitsubishi” corporation and other guests. Giorgi Gakharia addressed the public and thanked the government of Japan, as well as the Mitsubishi Corporation for their contribution towards the development of Georgian Police.
According to the existing international trends, growing number of police offices gradually move to eco-friendly automobiles, such as hybrids and electric cars. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has set Patrol Police Reform and the implementation of new standards/technical equipment as one of the top priorities for the year 2018.
In 2015, the government of Japan provided Non-Project Grant Aid for the Government of Georgia, which was aimed at purchasing new eco-friendly vehicles. Within the framework of this grant, on the bases of the Agreement with Mitsubishi corporation, the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) purchased 96 automobiles (45 „Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid“ and 51 „Mitsubishi I-Miev electric vehicle“), which were later handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, ( 45 Hybrids to the Tbilisi Patrol Police and 51 other vehicles to different police departments.)
As Mr. Gakharia voiced during his speech, the handover of the automobiles is the first step towards making Georgian police specialised machinery more safe and modern, which will significantly reduce the expenditures of the Ministry.
Using new, environmentally friendly automobiles is a clear message to the society that the Patrol police, along with protecting public order, contributes to preserving healthy environment.
