Mr. Giorgi Mghebrishvili paying a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany held a meeting with Mr. Joachim Herrmann, the Minister of the Interior, Construction and Transport of Bavaria.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Robert Heimberger, the President of Criminal Police of the Federal Land of Bavaria, Mr. Lado Chanturia, the Ambassador of Georgia in Germany and other officials.

At the meetings the sides discussed the actual aspects of cooperation, including the issues of fight against organized crime and illegal migration.

The Minister of Interior of the Federal Land of Bavaria said that in comparison with other countries the crime rate committed by Georgians in Bavaria is very low. However, one of the priorities is constant care for increasing safety standard and enhancing police cooperation between the countries. According to Mr. Joachim Herrmann "the German side is well aware that in Georgia the citizens are not persecuted on various grounds. Thus, 99 % of individuals from Georgia were not granted asylum in Bavaria. We have a reasonable suspicion that they use the prolonged discussion procedures related to "asylum seekers" issue in the EU as an opportunity to stay in the country and engage in various criminal activities. Accordingly, our interest is to confront joint efforts to this unhealthy approach".

Mr. Giorgi Mghebrishvili said: “the fact that the citizens of Georgia are not among the top twenty persons of different ethnic origin is not the base for being quiet. The crime is committed in Germany, but it is our problem as well. In order to reduce the rate of crime more specific and effective steps should be taken via mutual cooperation. As practitioner police officer, who began his career as an ordinary investigator, I understand that in fight against crime information is of crucial importance. For our part, we express our readiness to deepen the existing cooperation both on operative and non-operative levels”.

Mr. Giorgi Mghebrishvili, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia thanked the German side for positive results achieved as a result of police cooperation and emphasized the effective activities of Georgian liaison officer covering 16 Federal Lands of Germany. According to Mr. Joachim Herrmann almost 100 % of readmission requests sent to Georgia are completed that clearly certifies the existence of successful cooperation.

At the meeting the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia said: “since Germany is a federal country, relations with law enforcement agencies of each Federal Land, dealing with the situation, sharing experience and exchange of information is of paramount importance”. Accordingly, before the meeting with the Federal Minister of Interior Mr. Giorgi Mghebrishvili will pay working visits to other Federal Lands.

Mr. Joachim Herrmann, the Minister of Interior, Construction and Transport of the Federal Land of Bavaria hosted Mr. Giorgi Mghebrishvili, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia at a working dinner.