US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan Urges Prioritizing Georgia's Interests Over Political Games
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, stated that there is a well-defined guide outlining the necessary steps to bring Georgia closer to the desired goal of obtaining candidate status. She highlighted that if the parliament follows these steps, it will contribute to Georgia's progress and increase its chances of receiving candidate status in December.
According to Kelly Degnan, she is confident that the European Commission will conduct a meticulous evaluation of the inclusivity of the process and the progress made regarding the 12 priorities.
"I am not in a position to judge the report or the European Commission's assessment of progress. I'm sure they'll make a very careful assessment of the work that has been going on here, how inclusive the process has been or hasn't been, and what progress has been made on those particular 12 priorities. I think the fact that the Venice Commission issued an opinion on the Common Courts Law and the Deoligarchization Law, providing a very clear guidance on what is needed to meet expectations, is a sign of how committed the European Commission is to Georgia's success in this process. There is a clear guide on the steps required. If the parliament takes these steps, it will bring Georgia closer to where we all want it to be, receiving candidate status in December," said Kelly Degnan.
Kelly Degnan stated that the United States has been providing support to Georgia in its endeavors to establish a democratic system for three decades. This support encompasses backing civil society and promoting the development of a free, robust, and accountable media. Degnan said that if Georgia remains divided, it is Russia that stands to gain the most from such divisions.
"Georgia was polarized when I came here three and a half years ago. There were attempts to unify Georgians. We all agree that the more divided Georgia is, the only one who benefits is Russia. The Russian disinformation and pro-Russian disinformation that have continued to confuse and divide this country for the past three and a half years are very dangerous. Georgians know about this tactic. You have experienced Russia's efforts to divide, confuse, and intimidate the population for many decades. I hope there is an effort to unite, not only for this wonderful opportunity that will bring you closer to European integration, the clear choice of the majority of the Georgian people but also in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Now is the time for the Georgian people to unite, following the model of 'Strength in Unity'. It is not difficult to listen to each other, to accept different opinions," Kelly Degnan said.
US Ambassador Kelly Degnan emphasized that while politicians often engage in political games for public display, it is crucial to prioritize Georgia's interests. According to her, The United States is particularly invested in Georgia's successful journey towards EU membership and stated that the key focus should be on fostering unity and collaboration to secure a prosperous future for Georgia, as there is strength in unity.
