Georgian PM: State Security Service plays key role in protecting Georgia’s sovereignty, constitutional order

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Saturday the State Security Service plays a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s constitutional order, stressing that Georgia continues to face significant security challenges despite successfully preventing destabilisation attempts.

Speaking at an event marking the 11th anniversary of the establishment of the State Security Service, Kobakhidze noted peace and stability remain the foundation of Georgia’s democratic and economic development.

“Eleven years ago, the State Security Service of Georgia was established - an institution that plays a crucial role in protecting Georgia’s constitutional order, state sovereignty and the security of every citizen”, he said.

He emphasised that serving in the security sector involves significant risks and paid tribute to officers who lost their lives while performing their duties.

“Standing guard over peace is associated with high risk every day. I pay tribute to the memory of the heroic officers who died while performing their official duties”, Kobakhidze noted.

Addressing the current security environment, the Prime Minister said Georgia has faced attempts by foreign intelligence services and destructive forces to destabilise the country and bring about a violent change of government.

“Against the background of the difficult geopolitical situation existing in the world today and the serious security challenges in our region, the attempts of foreign special services and destructive forces to provoke the destabilisation of the country and the violent change of power have been successfully prevented. However, the threats have not disappeared”, he stressed.

Kobakhidze also identified Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories as one of the country's principal security challenges.

“One of the main challenges of our country remains the occupation of Georgia’s territories. The primary priority of our government is the immediate response to destructive actions along the occupation line and the protection of the fundamental rights of our fellow citizens living in the occupied territories”, Kobakhidze concluded.