British ambassador ends tenure with heartfelt address in Georgian (VIDEO)
Justin McKenzie Smith began his tenure in August, 2016. Photo: British Embassy press office. Photo: British Embassy press office.
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British Ambassador to Georgia Justin McKenzie Smith, whose tenure is coming to an end in Georgia, has made a heartfelt address to the country and the Georgian people in Georgian.
In the video released earlier today, Justin McKenzie Smith said “it has been a real honour for me to be the British ambassador to Georgia for four years. These have been among the most wonderful four years of my life.”
Georgia, and in particular the Georgian people, will always have a special place in my heart,” said the ambassador.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has met and thanked the diplomat for his ‘special role’ in the strengthening of UK-Georgia relations.
Strengthening the #WardropStrategicDialogue, signing a #StrategicPartnership Agreement, holding the #UKSeason in Georgia: all great advancements in the UK-Georgia relations during @JustinMcKenzieS’s tenure as Ambassador. Thank you for your years of service! ???????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/QIISVoSrlU
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) July 21, 2020
Mark Clayton will replace Justin McKenzie Smith in August.
Justin McKenzie Smith replaced Ms Alexandra Hall Hall in the role of British Ambassador to Georgia in August 2016.
Before coming to Georgia Smith took up his position as Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment at the British Embassy in Mexico City in July 2011.
Prior to moving to Mexico, he was Deputy Director responsible for the UK’s relations with Russia, the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
From 2004-2008, Smith was the spokesperson for the UK mission to the United Nations in New York and a member of the UK’s Security Council team.
He also served in the British Embassy in Moscow in the second half of the 1990s. In London, Smith also worked on European Union, human rights and press issues.
Smith joined the UK’s diplomatic service back in 1994. He is a graduate of Oxford and Edinburgh Universities.