US Ambassador: Georgians’ “strong independent spirit”, love of freedom basis for partnership, friendship between countries

The United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Thursday said the “strong independent spirit” and love of freedom of citizens of Georgia was a basis for close partnership and friendship between the two countries.

In her speech at an official reception at the Embassy in Tbilisi on the occasion of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, marked next week, Degnan noted the two countries stood as a “proof that freedom-loving people will ultimately refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness”.

Georgians’ strong independent spirit and love of freedom is the basis for our close partnership and friendship.  This is why Georgians and Americans have stood together for more than 30 years, as strong partners dedicated to Georgia’s success as a flourishing, secure, European democracy”, she said.

“America and Georgia stand as proof that freedom-loving people will ultimately refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness.  As President Biden said, ‘the darkness that drives autocracy is ultimately no match for the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere’”, she noted.

The American diplomat stressed “to those who question the choice of Americans and Georgians for democracy, or who reject our shared values, I say, remember history”.

Remember what Russia did in Georgia to undermine your language, your religion, your culture, and your independence.  Remember deportations and forced labour.  We see what Russia is doing today to erase Ukraine’s identity and sovereignty, and the oppressive autocracy in Russia”, the Ambassador noted in her historical analogy.

“The people of Georgia I have had the privilege to meet do not share those values.  They do not want to live in a Russian-style autocracy.  History shows that in the many protests by the Georgian people to protect your cultural identity, human rights, religious freedom, sovereignty and independence”, Degnan told the audience.