New US Ambassador to Georgia Takes Oath

Kelly Degnan was sworn in as the new US Ambassador to Georgia at the US Department of State.

The oath-taking ceremony was attended by David Hale, the United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. 

The US Embassy to Georgia congratulated Degnan on her swearing-in. 

"Congratulations to Ambassador Kelly Degnan on her swearing-in! We look forward to her arrival in Georgia," reads the official Facebook page of the Embassy.

The US President Donald Trump presented Degnan for the role in September 2019. 

Degnan delivered a speech at the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate on October 29, saying that “We will strengthen support to Georgia in the direction of NATO and EU membership. We will work together to strengthen Georgia’s defense of its borders and the creation of a democratic community. I look forward to working with the Georgian government on these and other issues.”

The Senate approved her candidacy in December. 

The new US Ambassador to Georgia has 25 years' diplomatic experience and is a recipient of the Secretary of State’s Expeditionary Service Award.

Before the nomination to the post, Degnan served as the political advisor to the Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe – the United States Naval Forces Africa.

Previously, she was Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States mission to Italy, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Department of State, and  Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo.

During her 25-year career, Degnan has served as political counselor at the United States mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels, Belgium, senior civilian representative to the Brigade Combat Team Salerno in Khost, Afghanistan, and deputy political counselor at the United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

She speaks Italian, French, Turkish and Urdu.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: Senate Approves Kelly Degnan as US Ambassador to Georgia