As Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated during today's handover ceremony of ships by the US Government to Georgia in Poti, "We are happy that our strategic partners understand well the role of the Black Sea Region and of our country in particular in ensuring global security."
According to the Head of Government, the ships' handover by the US to the Georgia side is important in that it emphasizes the unwavering support of the US for the security and stability of Georgia and the Black Sea Region as a whole.
"Today is an important day. The United States of America has handed over to Georgia's Coast Guard two Island-class patrol boats Ochamchire and Dioskuria. Symbolically, the ships' handover coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Coast Guard. Thus, firstly, I would like to congratulate our friends and the whole staff of the Coast Guard on this date. The relations and partnership between Georgia and the US are at their highest today. I avail myself of this opportunity to thank everyone for advancing these relations to such a high strategic level. The Black Sea already plays and will further continue to play a special role in the architecture of global security. We are happy that our strategic partners understand well the role of the Black Sea Region and of our country in particular in ensuring global security. Once again, I express gratitude to our friends, the American people, for this invaluable support. I would like to add that Georgia will take more decisive steps further to enhance the effectiveness of our Coast Guard, making sure that it plays even more active role in cementing security and peaceful life in the Black Sea Region in particular," Mamuka Bakhtadze emphasized.
The Government of the United States of America handed two Island-class patrol boats over to Coast Guard Department of the Border Police at the Interior Ministry of Georgia.
The event was opened by Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Vice Prime Minister and Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia.
The ships' handover ceremony was attended by members of the Georgian Cabinet, representatives of the Interior Ministry, the US Embassy and the NATO Liaison Office, also representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia and defense attachés from different countries. The event was held at the Poti Base of the Coast Guard.
The Dioskuria and Ochamchire boats feature exceptional technical characterizes, being equipped with modern navigation and communications systems.
