The Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri and the US Ambassador, Kelly C. Degnan have inaugurated a new building at Juta Border Sector at the Georgia-Russian state Border.
The opening ceremony was attended by the representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, US Embassy to Georgia and the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
Minister Gomelauri expressed his gratitude towards the US Ambassador Degnan for the invaluable contribution that the US Government has been making to develop the Georgian Border Police, particularly the Land Border and the Coast Guard. The Minister of Internal Affairs also thanked the Border Guards for their service and wished them future success in their professional career.
“New border sector - “Juta” of Kazbegi border defense line has been inaugurated. I would like to express my appreciation to our strategic partners and friends, US Embassy to Georgia and Madam Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan, who has arrived here today. I would also like to thank DTRA office, for constructing and equipping this new sector as well as border guards who fulfill their official duties in such difficult conditions. We will do our best to facilitate work conditions of our border guards. Only 20% of the land border remains to be constructed, which will be upgraded with the assistance of our friends and partners”-stated Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri.
The modern standard infrastructure of “Juta” Sector of the Kazbegi Border Police Division, located at 2300 meter altitude above the sea level, has been constructed within the framework of the Police Infrastructure Renovation Project under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and covers 18 km segment of the Georgian-Russian state border. The building is equipped with the modern equipment and inventory.
The construction of the sector has been funded by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
“This is an effort by Georgia with the United States support to modernize its border facilities to improve equipment that is provided to the border guard and to improve the infrastructure that will allow them to stay up on the border throughout the year. This is a modern, state of the art facility and I am very proud that the United States can do this with Georgia. It is a sign of Georgia’s commitment to NATO interoperability and to increasing its capability of defending its own borders from the sea with the Coast Guard to the mountains with the border guards up here. Georgia is investing in increasing its ability to defend its own borders and we are very pleased to be a part of it”-state Kelly Degnan.
The guests were hosted by the Acting Head of the Border Police, Nikoloz Sharadze and the Director of the Land Border Defense Department, Koka Melkadze. After the ceremony, the distinguished guests viewed the new infrastructure.
Minister Gomelauri awarded Colonel Stephanie Begley, US Defense Attache to Georgia, and Major Laron Bybee with the II Degree medal of the Ministry for “Exceptional Merits” for their support in border police activities and significant contribution to the important projects. The medallion for "Special Merit" has also been handed over to Mary Susserman, International Project Manager DRTA and Mark Sullivan, Deputy Director of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Proliferation Prevention Program (WMD-PPP), DTRA.
