Kelly Degnan, the outgoing Ambassador of the United States to Georgia, on Tuesday  released her farewell message, in which she said her Government “stands by the Georgian people to achieve your goal of greater stability, security and prosperity through European integration”. 

The diplomat, sharply criticized by the current Georgian authorities for “backing revolutionary waves to drag Georgia” into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, said she had arrived in Georgia three and a half year ago to fulfill the “most important duty to represent the American people in Georgia”. 

“Georgia is a country with a long and rich history, which was at the crossroads of civilizations. It is a country of a unique culture based on traditions, famous for soulful polyphony, delicate alphabets and prose and poetry of [Ilia] Chavchavadze, Vazha-Pshavela and Rustaveli. It is a land of mighty rivers, invisible emerald fields, swamps, forests and captivating mountain peaks.

While I was here, I learned that Georgians, like Americans, fought oppression to unite, protect and strengthen their country”, Degnan said. 

The diplomat stressed Georgians had preserved their freedom, faith and values that “define the Georgian identity” over centuries, adding “these are the common values and traditions that unite” Georgia and the United States. 

“I am inspired by the perseverance of many Georgians whom I had the honor to meet. This perseverance led to Georgia's impressive progress and transformation over the last thirty years, to revive the principles on which the state of Georgia is based today and more than a hundred years ago: equality, justice, democracy. These are the same principles that the US strives to uphold. That is why America stands by the Georgian people to achieve your goal of greater stability, security and prosperity through European integration”, she said. 

Highlighting the importance of unity, the diplomat said the country needed to take further actions to strengthen democratic institutions and proceed with its “unwaveringly moving” towards Euro-Atlantic integration. 

“I say goodbye to the many, many Georgians who have opened their doors and hearts to me, my heart is full of gratitude and great respect. Even though I'm leaving, I'm taking with me a lot of love and friendship from my dear friends from all over Georgia. It has been an honor and one I will always cherish to serve as the US Ambassador to this beautiful country”, Degnan said.