Georgian Parliament Speaker: State Security Service fulfils special mission in protecting national sovereignty, constitutional order

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday highlighted the indispensable role of the State Security Service during his address at the agency’s 11th-anniversary celebration, emphasising that national strength extends far beyond military capabilities.

Reflecting on the 2015 institutional reform that established an independent security framework tailored to modern threats, Papuashvili noted that much of the service's critical work remains hidden from the public eye.

“With the establishment of an independent State Security Service on 1 August 2015, Georgia carried out an important institutional reform. A service adapted to modern security challenges was created which took its own clearly defined place in the country’s national security system”, he said.

The Speaker noted that today’s security environment has become increasingly complex, with states facing not only traditional threats but also terrorism, espionage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and other hybrid challenges.

“Today the security environment is far more complex and multi-dimensional than ever before. States have to deal simultaneously with terrorism, espionage, cyberattacks, disinformation, economic pressure and other hybrid threats, the aim of which is to weaken state institutions, disrupt social unity and hinder the country’s sovereign development. For Georgia, these challenges are given particular intensity by the occupation of our country’s territories, the unstable security environment in the region and the constant risk of various forms of external pressure”, Papuashvili noted.

He stressed that modern security requires not only responding to existing threats but also identifying and preventing them before they cause harm.

“In such a situation, the security of the state does not mean only responding to already identified threats. Particular importance is attached to the advanced identification of threats, prevention and the prevention of their development before they cause real harm to the security of the country and society”, he stressed.

Papuashvili further noted that the role of the State Security Service was particularly important in preventing crises and protecting citizens, as the success of security institutions is often measured by threats being neutralised before they become visible to society.

“Under these conditions, the role of the State Security Service acquires particular importance. A large part of its activity is invisible to the public eye; however, it is precisely this daily, professional and often unnoticed work that creates the solid foundation of security on which the country’s peace, the protection of citizens and the stable functioning of state institutions rest. The employees of the security service stand every day on that invisible front where success is often measured precisely by the fact that a threat does not reach society, a crisis does not develop and the citizen does not notice the work of the security system at all in their everyday life”, he said.

“Georgia’s history clearly shows us that a strong state is not defined solely by military capabilities. Its main strength lies in sustainable state institutions, loyalty to national interests and the ability to timely identify, assess and prevent the threats facing the country. The protection of our sovereignty, independence and constitutional order is the common responsibility of every state institution, while in this matter the State Security Service has a special mission”, Papuashvili continued.

The Speaker also underlined that the Parliament of Georgia supports the development of professional and strong state institutions based on the rule of law, saying that such institutions were essential for ensuring public trust and state stability.

“The Parliament of Georgia attaches particular importance to the development of professional, strong state institutions based on the principles of the rule of law. It is precisely on such institutions that the sustainability of the state rests, while the security and trust of citizens are the result of their effective, responsible and law-based activity”, Papuashvili noted.

He expressed gratitude to the employees of the State Security Service for their professionalism, loyalty and service in protecting Georgia’s interests and security.

“I would like to express particular gratitude to every employee of the State Security Service who, with high professionalism, loyalty and a sense of responsibility, serves Georgia, its state interests and the security of our citizens every day. Once again, I congratulate you on the 11th anniversary of the creation of the State Security Service. I wish you success, strength and dignified service to Georgia”, Papuashvili concluded.