New US Ambassador to Georgia: ‘I’m delighted to be here finally'
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“Gamarjoba! I am delighted to be here, finally”, new United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said upon arriving in the country earlier today.
It is an honour to serve as the US Ambassador to Georgia. I look forward to continuing the strong partnership America and Georgia have had”, Kelly Degnan stated.
Ambassador Degnan noted that for almost thirty years now, the two countries have been working together to help Georgia:
- build its democratic institutions,
- diversify its economy,
- improve the education and healthcare,
- strengthen Georgia's ability to defend its borders and protect its citizens
Degnan believes that Georgia has made "tremendous progress over the years" but "there is still more to do”.
Kelly Degnan was sworn in on January 16, 2020. Photo: US Embassy Georgia
Ambassador Degnan further noted that she is looking forward to helping Georgia with her team here at the Embassy and in Washington behind them, “to achieve its vision of a Georgia that is stable, prosperous and secure”.
Thank you very much. Didi madloba!” Ambassador Degnan concluded.
The US Embassy has welcomed new Ambassador Kelly Degnan to Georgia:
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi is very pleased to announce the arrival of Ambassador Kelly Degnan at Tbilisi International Airport.
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) January 29, 2020
Welcome to Georgia, Madame Ambassador! We look forward to the work we will do together to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Georgia. pic.twitter.com/35DXcrpEB3
Kelly Degnan, who was nominated for the role by US President Donald Trump and approved by the US Senate, was sworn in back in mid-January.
The post has been vacant since March 2018 after previous Ambassador Ian Kelly announced his retirement when his mission in Georgia concluded.
The Georgian Embassy to the US has sent kind wishes to new Ambassador of the US to Georgia Kelly Degnan, stating that they are looking forward to a new stage of strengthening partnership between the US and Georgia under her tenure.Degnan, who has 25 years of diplomatic experience, was sworn in at the US Department of State on January 17 which was attended by the Ambassador of Georgia to the US David Bakradze.
New US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said in her recent swearing-in remarks at the US Department of State “there is no doubt that Georgia is an important and strategic partner for the United States”.
New US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan, who has 25 years of diplomatic experience, has been sworn in, the US Embassy to Georgia has reported earlier today, stating that ‘we are looking forward to [her] arrival in Georgia.” The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the US Under Secretary of State David Hale.
The US Senate has approved Kelly Degnan as the new ambassador of the US to Georgia, the diplomat who has 25 years of diplomatic experience and is a recipient of the Secretary of State’s Expeditionary Service Award. The US President Donald Trump presented Californian Degnan for the role in September 2019. Before the nomination to the post Degnan served as the political advisor to the Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe – United States Naval Forces Africa.
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Investments from the United States have increased 34 per cent in the first quarter of 2020 and the US has become the second largest investor of Georgia with a 17 per cent share, announced the Georgian Minister of Economy after a meeting with US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan.
Top Georgian officials have sent their best wishes to the United States on its 244th Independence Day, praising the strategic partnership between Georgia and the US. The US Embassy to Georgia invites everyone in Tbilisi to enjoy fireworks from Mtatsminda Park at 10 p.m. tonight where the TV tower will light up in the colours of the American flag.
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