Kelly Degnan, the outgoing US Ambassador to Georgia, on Friday said the reform agenda outlined by the European Union last year for granting Georgia its membership candidate status would benefit Tbilisi first and not the bloc. 

In her interview with the domestic media, the diplomat stressed the country’s citizens “want to live in an independent, free, open society, they have it in their DNA”, adding “Georgia absolutely shares the values of the EU and the US”. 

She advised her successor to keep her focus “on what is important and in the best interests of Georgia”. 

“When political leaders of Georgia come together and focus on the best interests of Georgia, it will benefit the country”, she said. Degnan highlighted Georgia’s religious values, culture and traditions would be better protected under the European system.

She also said the electronic elections announced by the ruling Georgian Dream party for 2024 Parliamentary elections were not “100 percent secure”. 

She noted certain countries had rejected the system after experiencing its shortcomings. 

“The countries decided that it is not the best [model], it has some limitations, so it is important to inform the public about how it works”, the diplomat said.