U.S. Ambassador Kelly Degnan officially assumes duties, meets Georgian officials
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, February 6
The new US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, who took the oath on January 17 in the US Department of State arrived in the country last week.
She stated it is an honor to serve as the US Ambassador to Georgia and looks forward to continuing the strong partnership America and Georgia have.
Ambassador Degnan noted that for almost 30 years now, the two countries have been working together to help Georgia build its democratic institutions, diversify its economy, improve education and healthcare and 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.”
The new ambassador has presented her credentials to Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and President Salome Zourabichvili last Friday, officially assuming her duties in the role.
Zalkaliani has described Degnan as a “very experienced diplomat,” expressing hope for further strengthening of the US-Georgia strategic partnership.
"The U.S. is looking forward to helping Georgia continue its efforts to integrate with the West, to try and combat some of the destabilizing activities of Russia in trying to upset the progress that Georgia has made through such hard work over the years, and of course to strengthen Georgia’s relationship with the United States,” stressed Degnan.
Degnan also met with PM Giorgi Gakharia. Following the meeting, she noted that she enjoyed the "substantive conversation." According to her, the numbers of topics have been covered including security cooperation, economic cooperation, and opportunities to increase economic ties.
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 $ 7 million for a 5-year education project in Georgia that USAID recently unveiled.
During the meeting, Degnan and Gakharia also spoke of “the continuing democratisation of Georgia” and emphasized on 2020 being an important election year for both countries.
The ambassador said she is looking forward to working with the Government of Georgia and with the people of Georgia and civil society on the democratic processes here. She also held meetings with the chairman of the parliament Archil Talakvadze, Minister of internal affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri and Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II.
Degnan, who has 25 years of diplomatic experience, was nominated for the role by the US President Donald Trump in September 2019. After she was approved by the US Senate, Degnan was sworn in back in mid-January, 2020.
The post has been vacant since March 2018 after previous Ambassador Ian Kelly announced retirement when his mission in Georgia concluded.
