The Head of the Georgian Border Police, a subordinate institution within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Davit Tamazashvili, held discussions with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Türkiye to Georgia, Ali Kaan Orbay, and the Turkish Defence Attaché, Colonel Ilhan Oktendural.

According to the Georgian Border Police, during the meeting, Tamazashvili and Colonel Oktendural signed a technical agreement titled “Between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Türkiye on the Deployment of Personnel from the Coast Guard Department of the State Sub-Institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs – the Border Police of Georgia on Turkish Navy vessels during their participation in NATO’s Maritime Security Operation Sea Guardian.”

The agreement aims to establish clear bilateral guidelines regarding the procedures for boarding, deployment, and the respective duties and responsibilities of the tactical unit of the Georgian Border Police Coast Guard when operating on Turkish Navy ships within the scope of NATO’s Sea Guardian maritime operation.

“It is particularly noteworthy that Türkiye is already the second nation to express its willingness to deploy a tactical unit of the Georgian Border Police Coast Guard aboard its naval vessels as part of the NATO operation.

Moreover, in May 2022, NATO granted Georgia the status of an operational partner in the Sea Guardian maritime operation. Georgia is the first non-NATO country to attain this status, following successful certification by the relevant NATO units.

As a result, Georgia is authorised to provide support to the alliance in maintaining maritime security, a recognition that underscores its growing role and commitment within NATO’s maritime efforts,” the Georgian Border Police stated.