US Ambassador Degnan meets Georgian PM Gakharia [VIDEO]
During the meeting, Kelly Degnan and Giorgi Gakharia spoke of “the continuing democratisation of Georgia”. Photo: Government of Georgia/Facebook
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New United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan met with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia yesterday after officially assuming her duties as ambassador.
It was a very substantive conversation. I really enjoyed it. We covered number of topics, including security cooperation, our economic cooperation and opportunities to increase our economic ties”, Degnan said.
She further noted that during the meeting with PM Gakharia they “had a good discussion about the importance of education”, including the program initiative for seven million USD for a five-year education project in Georgia that USAID recently unveiled.
Delighted to welcome US Ambassador Kelly Degnan to #Georgia. We had a substantive discussion about the strong US-Georgia strategic partnership focused on defense, security & economic cooperation. We also touched on the importance of education reform and US support in this sector. pic.twitter.com/E1XJoIwG1e
— Giorgi Gakharia (@GakhariaGiorgi) January 31, 2020
Ambassador Degnan believes, this program “should work very well” in complement to Government of Georgia’s initiatives.
Watch Ambassador Degnan summing up her meeting with the Georgian PM:
During the meeting, Degnan and Gakharia also spoke of “the continuing democratisation of Georgia”. The new US Ambassador underscored that 2002 is “an important election year” both in Georgia and the US.
So, I’m looking forward to working with the Government of Georgia and the people of Georgia and civil society on the democratic process here, while we go through the same thing in the US,” she said.
Earlier yesterday, Kelly Degnan presented her credentials to Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and President Salome Zurabishvili.
Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan presented her Letters of Credence to President @Zourabichvili_S. A great meeting for our strategic partnership! ???????????????? @usingeo pic.twitter.com/eC4qHlWEIl
— Orbeliani Presidential Palace (@OrbelianiPalace) January 31, 2020
The post of US Ambassador has been vacant since March 2018 after Ian Kelly announced his retirement when his mission in Georgia concluded.