Georgian Deputy Interior Minister: Georgia’s placement among safest travel destinations in South Caucasus region reflects Gov’t’s “correct, pragmatic” policies

Georgian deputy minister of internal affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze on Tuesday said that Georgia's placement among the safest travel destinations in the South Caucasus region reflected the government’s correct and pragmatic policies.

Darakhvelidze was responding to the latest data from the US Department of State, which ranks Georgia as the safest country for travel in the South Caucasus region.

The deputy minister explained that the US State Department’s travel guidance divided countries into four categories, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4 depending on security risks.

“The US State Department has published a travel guide for its citizens who plan to travel abroad. According to this document, countries around the world are divided into four categories based on risk levels, from Level 1 to Level 4. Countries placed in the first category are considered the safest destinations for travel by their citizens, and Georgia is among those countries”, he said.

He also pointed out that neighbouring states fall into different categories, including Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4, depending on the risk assessment.

“As for other neighbouring states and others, some have been placed in the second category, while others are in the third and fourth categories. This assessment is based on the analysis of security risks that exist in different countries”, the official noted.

Darakhvelidze further highlighted that the decision to place Georgia in the safest category reflected the country’s stable security environment and the effectiveness of measures taken by state institutions, particularly law enforcement agencies.

“It is important to note that Georgia’s assessment and its placement in the first category are the result of the correct and pragmatic policies implemented by the Georgian government. The measures carried out by state institutions, particularly law enforcement agencies, to ensure the country’s security were also positively evaluated”, Darakhvelidze said.

“Accordingly, it should be noted that the US State Department has very accurately assessed the situation in the country and the policies pursued by the government, and has issued specific recommendations for American citizens regarding travel to Georgia”, the deputy minister concluded.