New US Ambassador to Georgia meets Prime Minister Garibashvili

The United States (US) will be a supporter of Georgia’s territorial integrity and the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

These words were spoken by the new US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly as he met Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili yesterday.

The pair spoke about deepening economic and political relations between the two countries at the meeting, which lasted for about an hour at the Government Administration in Tbilisi.

Ambassador Ian Kelly: The #USA will be supporter of #Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations pic.twitter.com/QzkF5WAUeD

— Irakli Garibashvili (@PrimeMinisterGE) September 18, 2015

"I am surprised by the warm welcome my wife and I have received in Tbilisi and also by the quick reception by the President, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister,” Kelly said.

At a small but special ceremony earlier this week, Ambassador Kelly handed over his credentials to Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili, signalling his commitment to serving American-Georgian relations.

Prior to his arrival he released a warm video address to the people of Georgia.

The US Senate confirmed Kelly’s candidacy on June 25 this year after he was nominated to the post by US President Barack Obama. On Friday, September 11, Kelly made an oath as the new Ambassador to Georgia.