SUPPORT T O C I VILIAN AUTHORITIES DURING NATURAL AND M ANMADE DISASTERS

One of the missions of the GAF is to support civilian authorities during emergencies. The GAF shall be ready to rapidly mobilize its resources and assist local authorities in mitigating the consequences caused by natural and manmade disasters when needed. Efficiency of execution depends on high quality interagency coordination and cooperation.

 

6.1. Sup port t o t he “National Response Plan on Natural and Manmade Emergency Situations”

The “National Response Plan on Natural and Manmade Emergency Situations” (NRP) enhances the unity of response plans by stipulating assistance to civilian authorities during natural and manmade emergencies as well as improving the safety of the population. The GAF is assigned to support NRP requirements within its capabilities to support coordinated interagency response with relevant material-technical resources.

 

6.1.1. I nteragency Coordination and Cooperation

During natural and manmade disasters and in accordance to Georgian legislation the GAF are responsible for supporting specific requests of the Government’s relevant crisis management response coordination agency. According to the NRP, the General Staff shall develop a GAF support plan for response to natural and manmade emergencies. The action plan shall define necessary forces/capabilities, scenarios, purpose of units involved in providing assistance to authorities, operational principles, collaboration with different Government agencies and identification of availability of resources (human/material).

 

Additionally, the response to emergencies shall require establishment of close cooperation between all interagency actors and civil society. Such collaboration will be essential in reducing the response time following an incident and increase the effectiveness of relief efforts.

 

CONCLUDING S UMMARY

According to the NMS the main goal of the GAF is to deter a potential adversary and should the need arise defend the country. A modern, well-trained and equipped Armed Forces is the cornerstone of preserving country`s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Georgia shall continue the efforts to improve capabilities of its Armed Forces to successfully accomplish assigned military missions and meeting international obligations.

 

The MoD places special emphasis on maintaining and improving combat readiness of the GAF. In this regard, it is important to deepen cooperation with NATO and EU, participate in multinational operations and exercises and remain engaged in bilateral military cooperation with NATO and Partner Nations.

 

Additionally, the MoD shall ensure the readiness of the GAF to provide timely assistance to civil authorities in cases of manmade or national disaster. The MoD shall ensure the rapid mobilization of relevant resources and offer support to mitigate the harm caused by such emergencies.

 

Источник: Министерство обороны Грузии // https: //mod.gov.ge/uploads/2018/pdf/NMS-ENG.pdf

 

Контрольные вопросы:

 

1. Дайте определение Национальной военной стратегии Грузии.

2. Охарактеризуйте принципы военной политики Республики Грузия.

3. Дайте толкование терминам «Deterrence and Defence» применительно к оборонной политике РГ.

4. Какие международные задачи решает Грузия в рамках сотрудничества с НАТО?

5. Какие действия Вооруженных сил Грузии относятся к сфере «Information and Cyber Security»?

 

 

Документ 3.

 

COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

2017-2020

Introduction

This communication strategy (Strategy) is designed to outline the key communications objectives, target audiences and desired communications effects of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia (MOD) and Georgian Armed Forces (GAF). The Strategy considers the Ministry’s role and policies, current security challenges in the region, the modern information environment, key target audiences, and public atitudes.

 

The Georgian MOD/GAF operates in a complex and unpredictable security environment. The Russian Federation continues occupation of Georgian territories – the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region (former South Ossetia Autonomous District) and thus remains the main security challenge for Georgia. After the Georgian-Russian war in August 2008, recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by Russia and continuation of the so-called “creeping occupation” affect Georgia’s sovereignty and violate the norms of international law. In the absence of international control, signing so-called “agreements on incorporation” between Russia and de facto governments, as well as Russia’s growing militarization in the occupied regions, offer clear signs of continuous provocations and a resumption of military aggression.

 

Apart from the threat of renewed Russian military aggression, violation of the sovereignty of neighboring countries using the methods of hybrid warfare remains the top security challenge for Georgia. Annexation of Crimea and events in Eastern Ukraine, the cyber-attacks conducted by Russia, and strengthening of information warfare have significantly increased security challenges on a global scale. In this context, dealing with Russian “soft power” has become the main task for Georgia, along with considering the specifics of future hybrid warfare and adaptation to it.

 

The actions of Russian “soft power” are aimed at weakening state institutions, discrediting Euro-Atlantic integration and strengthening pro-Russian and anti-Western forces. The number of pro-Russian non-governmental organizations and media outlets opposing Euro-Atlantic integration is significantly growing in the information space. Their goal is to discredit state institutions, among them the Ministry of Defence, which is one of the most important institutions aimed at defending the sovereignty of the country and its Euro-Atlantic integration.

Information Environment

To the Ministry of Defence, the existing information environment encompasses opportunities for strengthening communication, as well as important challenges. The structure of information dissemination mechanisms, socio-political attitudes, and issues related to perceptions of the Ministry all influence the information environment.

According to the International Republican Institute (IRI), the population generally favors television as a source for news, though use of the internet and social media are rising. According to the World Statistics Online Resources, the number of internet users reached nearly 2.5 million as of 2016 in Georgia, while the number of Facebook users increased to 2 million. The functionality of social media, such as information exchange and the creation of space for discussion, enable an increasing impact on the formation of public opinion day by day. Development of this function is also encouraged by a free environment. In Freedom House’s Internet Freedom Index, Georgia was named among free countries in 2016.

Increased access to information and greater information diversity, and more public engagement in socio-political processes, ensure enhanced communication with different target audiences, despite the growth of risks of misinformation and dissemination of unverified information.

Diversity in radio and print media outlets ensure the increasing awareness of the population. The regional media outlets provide information to ethnic minorities in the Azeri, Armenian and Russian languages.

There are no free media in the occupied territories, and Russian TV and Radio are the main sources of information.

According to the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the majority of the population of Georgia still supports Euro-Atlantic integration and considers Russia as the main threat (NDI 2012-2016). During this period, two-thirds of the population supported Georgia’s accession to the NATO Alliance, which shows that the enthusiasm of the Georgian population expressed during the plebiscite in 2008 remains broadly unchanged.

Intensifying Russian “soft power” policies have caused the consolidation of the pro-Russian electorate. According to research by NDI conducted in recent years, the maximum number of supporters of the Eurasian Union is about 31%. Within this indicator, those considering Russia as the best guarantor of the country’s security – who should be considered as a strong pro-Russian electorate - total 13 %. It should be noted that ethnic minorities dominate in this percentage.

According to IRI surveys in 2012-2016, GAF enjoy a high level of public trust (86%), taking second place after Georgian Orthodox Church.

According to assessments by Georgian non-governmental organizations, the MoD stands out for its high level of transparency and access to information. Based on Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) research (conducted 1-15 May 2016), the Ministry’s indicator in terms of proactive publication of public information is 69%.

The narrative that the West poses a threat to the Orthodox Church, Georgian identity and traditions, is getting stronger on the web. Anti-Western and nihilistic narratives are gaining momentum, thus increasing the probability of affecting the armed forces, as an integral part of society.

The current information environment poses a serious threat to Georgia’s national security and its Euro-Atlantic foreign policy. In this regard, it’s important to inform the population about NATO-Georgia cooperation and Georgia’s progress towards integration and membership, which will counter malicious Russian narratives.

Within this information environment, strategic communications will help set the agenda for communications for the Ministry, in order to advance MOD core policies by achieving the desired effects with key target audiences.

Strategic communications is defined as shaping the information environment in support of national and organizational interests. Therefore, it is fundamental for strategic communications to identify target audiences and tailor messages appropriately.

MoD Vision

The MoD aims to support building a united, democratic, independent, secure and powerful state where every citizen holds an honorable role and place. As threats to our country are growing, the Ministry aims to develop a more effective defence institution and to establish an optimal force structure that is capable of responding to existing challenges, supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and meeting NATO interoperability requirements.

 

To achieve this goal, the Ministry is taking into account the best practices of partner countries and has introduced the principle of “Total Defence.” Implementation of this approach requires rational allocation of resources, establishment of civil defence systems, development of relevant infrastructure, creation of effective reserves and a mobilization system, and defining and synchronizing tasks within a context of cross-government cooperation.

Narrative

The primary objective of Georgia’s national security policy is to use all available lawful and peaceful means to ensure the sovereignty of the country, restore territorial integrity and protect its internationally recognized borders.

 

Accession to European and Euro-Atlantic structures is one of Georgia’s top foreign and security policy priorities. At the NATO Bucharest Summit in 2008, the allies agreed that Georgia would become a NATO member. Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will ensure the peaceful and sustainable development of Georgia, as well as the region.

 

Accession to European and Euro-Atlantic structures will also contribute to strengthening Georgia’s resilience and defence capabilities, creating a secure environment for rapid economic development of the country, strengthening democratic institutions, and protecting rule of law and human rights.

 

Moreover, Georgia is the only NATO “aspirant country” that, alongside other practical pre-accession tools, also has the NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) and the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP). Successful implementation of the package aims to enhance Georgia’s defence capabilities and to help Georgia advance in its preparations towards membership of the Alliance, which offers an effective defence force for the challenges that the country faces.

 

Georgia - as a creditable member of the international community - is being transformed from a security consumer to a security provider state. Georgia, as a stable and reliable partner, contributes to global stability and security by participating in NATO, EU and UN-led international missions. Furthermore, from 2015 one of Georgia’s infantry company participates in the NATO Response Force (NRF)1. Georgia’s positive contribution to Euro-Atlantic security architecture not only enriches the military experience of the GAF, but also increases Georgia’s importance in the process of strengthening Euro-Atlantic security. The GAF now enjoys higher level of interoperability with NATO than ever before.

 

Russian military aggression against Georgia in August 2008, the occupation of 20% of Georgian territory, Russian recognition of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, and continuation of the so-called “creeping occupation”, violate the norms of international law and negatively influence the security environment of Georgia and the whole region.

 

Apart from the threat of renewed Russian military aggression, violation of the sovereignty of the neighboring countries and use of methods of hybrid warfare remain the top security challenges for Georgia, as can be seen by the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and events in Eastern Ukraine.

 

Responding to traditional threats and new challenges requires high readiness, and flexible, well-trained armed forces, which will be able to effectively protect the country’s territories and population, and support the government’s in time of crisis.

 

For this purpose, the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces (by making effective use of available resources) tries to: develop its combat readiness; improve command and control systems; properly equip the armed forces; create mobilization and reserve systems; improve military education and training systems; and effectively use all existing formats and tools with NATO, while enhancing interoperability with NATO forces.

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