Britain’s new ambassador to Georgia arrives in Tbilisi:
Welcome Justin McKenzie Smith

The United Kingdom (UK)'s new ambassador to Georgia Justin McKenzie Smith arrived in Tbilisi this week to assume the position of Britain's head diplomat in Georgia.

The British Embassy Tbilisi announced the new ambassador's arrival on Thursday, adding McKenzie Smith would formally assume his duties after presenting his ambassadorial letters of credence to President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

Britain's new ambassador also commented on his appointment after arriving in the Georgian capital.

It is a pleasure to be in Georgia and an honour to be appointed as Her Majesty’s Ambassador. I have been fortunate to visit Georgia several times in the past.  I am delighted now to have the chance to live and work here. 

There are strong ties of friendship between Georgia and the UK.  Looking ahead, there are exciting possibilities to expand these links further," said McKenzie Smith on his arrival.

The appointment was formally announced in May, and the new ambassador is scheduled to carry out his responsibilities in Georgia for the next four years.

Ambassador McKenzie Smith previously worked within the UK Mission to the United Nations, at the British Embassy in Mexico and he was Deputy Director for the UK’s relations with Russia, the South Caucasus and Central Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

He has replaced former Ambassador Alexandra Hall Hall, who served as the head diplomat of the UK in Georgia for the past three years before concluding her work in Tbilisi last month.