2018-02-02
As of today, the Patrol Police is furnished with 96 electric and hybrid vehicles. Today's ceremony, during which the Government of Japan handed the vehicles over to the Ministry of Interior, was attended by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
The handing of the vehicles to the Ministry of Interior was commended by the Head of Georgian Government as a milestone in terms of adopting high environmental standards in the country and of replenishing the vehicle fleet. Kvirikashvili thanked Japanese Ambassador Tadaharu Uehara and Mitsubishi's COO Hiro Kurihara for the gift.
"Last week, Japan was a big trend in Georgia for two reasons. Georgian sumo wrestler Tochinoshin, the same as Levan Gorgadze, won Emperor's Cup, and I was truly excited when the Japanese Ambassador first congratulated me on this success. Thank you very much, Mister Ambassador. It is our common victory. Japan is also trending highly for yet another important reason that has put us together today. It is 96 hybrid and electric cars for the Patrol, which is very important to us in terms of replenishing the vehicle fleet and ushering in new standards. The introduction of high environmental standards is a top priority and part of Georgia's policy. We have already taken significant steps in this direction, such as recently launched vehicle emission testing and the tariff concession scheme on electric and hybrid automobiles. Imported electric cars are exempt from taxes, while hybrid vehicle import tariff has been cut down 60%. As a result, 35-40% of the imported automobiles are hybrid. Of course, caring for our environment is the duty of all of us, and we must stand together in tackling this crucial challenge," the Prime Minister said.
The Head of Government also emphasized that the vehicles were initially intended for the Cabinet, but the Government was unanimous in its decision to hand this gift over to the Patrol Police.
"When I proposed that we yield these 96 vehicles presented to us in favor of the Patrol Police, the Cabinet unanimously backed this idea. It was a very important decision, so that the Patrol Police may pioneer such innovations in our country," Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized.
According to the Prime Minister, many innovations are planned in the Police Forces. He wished Vice Prime Minister and Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia success in these endeavors.
"Those are very interesting plans. I would like to wish success to the Minister, and I firmly believe that it will prove a success. Generally speaking, our country's success largely depends on the success of the police. I avail myself of this opportunity to thank our police officers for risking their lives to protect order in the country and our citizens' safety, and for laying the foundation of our country's success. Thank you. Once again, I congratulate you on this day. It is an important step, and this success belongs to all of us. Once again, I thank the Government of Japan and the Mitsubishi Corporation," the Prime Minister stated.
The event, held in the territory of the 112 Emergency Response Center, was attended by the members of the Georgian Government and Parliament, the Tbilisi Mayor, representatives of the Interior Ministry, the Ambassador of Japan to Georgia, and representatives of the Mitsubishi Corporation.
Prime Minister's Press Offcie