New US Ambassador: Georgia is important, strategic partner
The US President Donald Trump presented Kelly Degnan for the role of US new ambassador to Georgia in September 2019. Later in December her candidacy was approved by the US Senate.
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“There is no doubt that Georgia is an important and strategic partner for the United States”, new US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said in her recent swearing-in remarks at the US Department of State.
I feel particularly honoured to be selected to be the U.S. Amb to ????????, a country that shares America’s love of freedom and democracy. Like ????????, Georgia has had to fight for its independence – a hard-won independence that remains under threat from Russia. https://t.co/wfoJPVoEmX
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) January 17, 2020
Kelly Degnan noted that she is also committed "to continuing America’s deep collaboration with Georgia, including on democratic development, trade and prosperity and security cooperation”.
Through joint training and exercises, we are strengthening Georgia’s ability to defend its own borders — an important sign of America’s steadfast commitment to support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, she added.
Speaking about 'Georgia’s promising future' Ambassador Degnan said “it’s worth remembering Georgia’s starting point and just how much the country has achieved, despite war, occupation, economic embargoes and a hostile, aggressive neighbour”.
Georgians have transformed a former Soviet Republic into a functioning, democratic State — no small feat. Georgia has made impressive progress on ease of doing business, tackling corruption, and building the institutions necessary to support democracy”, Degnan noted.
She believes that the focus now is on implementing systems and laws to ensure greater equality, justice and transparency.
Parliamentary elections later this year are an important opportunity for Georgians to show the world that the progress they have worked so hard for cannot be reversed”, the US Ambassador said in her swearing-in remarks.
Congratulating Kelly Degnan on her swearing-in as the new US Ambassador, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said the Government of Georgia looks forward to working with her.
Congratulations to Kelly Degnan on her swearing-in as US Ambassador to #Georgia. We look forward to working with you to advance Georgia's European & Euro-Atlantic aspirations and bring even greater dynamism to the strategic partnership between our two great nations.
— Giorgi Gakharia (@GakhariaGiorgi) January 17, 2020
Ambassador of Georgia to the US David Bakradze who attended Degnan's swearing-in ceremony at the Department of State also congratulated her on the start of her tenure in Georgia.
Congratulations to ???????? Ambassador Kelly Degnan on the start of her tenure in ????????. I was honored to attend her @StateDept swearing-in ceremony today. I wish her great success & look forward to further strengthening the ???????????????? partnership for the benefit of both nations. https://t.co/H4aICGWKcP
— David Bakradze (@BakradzeDavid) January 17, 2020
The US President Donald Trump presented Kelly Degnan for the role of US new ambassador to Georgia in September 2019. Later in December her candidacy was approved by the US Senate.
The post has been vacant since March 2018 after previous Ambassador Ian Kelly announced his retirement when his mission in Georgia concluded.