Georgia gives up restoration of its naval forces
![The Island-class patrol boat given to the MIA of Georgia by the USA. Photo: http://police.ge/ge/shss-s-sasazghvro-politsiis-sanapiro-datsvis-departaments-ashsh-s-mtavrobam-ori-sapatrulo-khomaldi-gadastsa/10042#!prettyImage[1]/11/](/system/uploads/article_image/image/0001/11018/large_12.jpg "The Island-class patrol boat given to the MIA of Georgia by the USA. Photo: http://police.ge/ge/shss-s-sasazghvro-politsiis-sanapiro-datsvis-departaments-ashsh-s-mtavrobam-ori-sapatrulo-khomaldi-gadastsa/10042#!prettyImage[1]/11/")
Levan Izoriya, Minister of Defence, has categorically spoken out against the creation in Georgia of the naval fleet in connection with the high cost of maintenance of the fleet as a separate kind of forces. Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has supported his position.
The naval fleet of Georgia existed in the period from 1991 to 2009, and it was abolished following the August 2008 conflict in connection with large losses. At present, Georgia is the only country in the region of the Black Sea, which has no own naval forces.
The Minister of Defence has explained that the naval component is represented within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
The topic of restoration of the naval forces has become urgent after in October, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that in February 2017, NATO would intend to finalize the measures to strengthen its presence in the Black Sea region and to involve Georgia in those measures. It was also stated that those measures were taken to counterbalance the Russia's policy, the "News-Georgia" reports.
According to Prime Minister Georgy Kvirikashvili, Georgia may take part in patrolling and other auxiliary operations under the aegis of NATO, the RIA "Novosti" reports.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.