US Ambassador Degnan sums up her first three months in Georgia: coronavirus, occupation, elections in focus

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan summarised her first three months in the role during a virtual press conference earlier today, during which she focused on the challenges presented by the coronavirus, the Russian occupation of Georgian territories and the March 8 election agreement.

• Degnan officially assumes her duties as new US ambassador to Georgia

Degnan said that the US partnership with Georgia is “based on our shared commitment to democracy, sustainable economic growth and international security.” 

 COVID-19 has not stopped our work with Georgia in these important areas,” she said. 

Degnan stated that the US ‘is pleased to see Georgia’s public health system manage this unprecedented crisis so capably.’ 

The United States will continue to work closely with the government, which has done an impressive job steering Georgia through the COVID-19 crisis,” Degnan said.

Degnan with Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze. Photo: US Embassy press office. 

She noted that the US has partnered with Georgia for decades to help build a ‘professional, responsive, quality national healthcare system’, investing almost $140 million over the years.  

In that same spirit, the US is continuing to provide assistance to help Georgia respond to the COVID-19 emergency now.You are already aware that USAID is providing more than $2.7 million, and we recently announced an additional $3 million in assistance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Degnan said. 

She said that the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Office of Defense Cooperation have also provided almost $500,000 worth of PPE, much of it purchased from Georgian companies, to several ministries, including the Defense, Health, and Internal Affairs ministries.

I was delighted to join Health Minister Tikaradze last Friday for the arrival of 4,000 gold standard PCR test kits and more PPE to help Georgia increase its testing efforts and help protect its health care providers,” Degnan said, adding that members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia have donated millions of lari to the Stop Cov-19 Fund. 

She stated that the US wants to support Georgia’s economic recovery from the pandemic, ‘through our existing assistance programs, as well as COVID-specific initiatives’.  

The Georgian government has already taken some important steps to help the economy recover. The US is contributing to that effort in a variety of ways, with a particular focus on small and medium businesses, and the agriculture and tourism sectors. We want to help Georgia generate economic opportunities that will lead to more jobs and sustainable growth,” Degnan said. 

Degnan said why she visited the occupation line first. Photo: US Embassy press office.

‘My first trip outside Tbilisi was at the occupation line’ 

Degnan said that the United States remains ‘fully committed to our strategic partnership with Georgia, including our support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’.

That is why my first trip outside of Tbilisi was to the Administrative Boundary Line at Odzisi, which the State Security Services of Georgia kindly organised. It was truly heartbreaking to see how families and communities have been separated, people in the occupied territories are prevented from receiving life-saving medical care, and children are deprived of the education they deserve,” Degnan said. 

She stated that Russia must withdraw its forces and fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement.  

Degnan spoke about the importance of the upcoming elections in the autumn. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

‘If the election agreement fails, it will be a real set back’ 

Degnan said that the US encourages the ruling party and the opposition to fully implement all elements of the March 8 agreement.

She said that the parties set terms of the agreement which are meant to depolarise political tensions in the country.

Fulfilling the agreement will create an environment and opportunity for greater pluralism in this year’s parliamentary elections, which is what Georgians have said they want.  If the agreement fails, it will be a real set back for Georgia,” Degnan said. 

She stated that the embassy will continue to work with parliament on electoral reforms ”that are so crucial for those elections to be free and fair.”

 The US is providing expert guidance and advice on election reform legislation to ensure OSCE recommendations are fully incorporated into the law,” she said. 

Degman stated that over the decades Georgia has made real progress building its democratic institutions, as well as diversifying its economy, with help from the US and other donors. 

She said that the challenge for Georgia now is to use the institutions it has built and follow-through on reforms to solidify its democratic progress.