Related items

• Ambassador Degnan about the draft "foreign influence" laws

  "These laws are aimed at blocking Georgians who are helping other Georgians. These are Georgians who are trying to address problems in their communities and provide services, whether it’s on climate change, or for business associations, or for young people, or people with disabilities, legal assistance to people who are in some cases in desperate need. These laws seem to be clearly in line with Russian law, which is aimed at stigmatizing civil society. It’s aimed at silencing dissenting voices. When you look at what’s going on in Russia right now, you see that Russian law has been very effective in silencing civil society and dissenting voices. Georgia has fought hard to build its democracy, to protect its freedoms. These laws will undermine that progress that Georgia has spent so many years building. That is why you hear concerns from the United Nations, from the European Union, from the United States, from many of Georgia’s long-standing friends, who’ve been working with Georgia for over 30 years, to help improve Georgia’s freedoms, protect Georgia’s freedoms, and build the institutions. So that is why people are very concerned. Georgia does not need this law". - Ambassador Degnan about the draft "foreign influence" laws.

  US Embassy in Georgia

• The bachelor’s program of English Philology of IBSU has obtained a seven-year accreditation

  Under the unanimous decision of the Council for the Accreditation of Higher Education Programs, the bachelor’s program of English Philology of the International Black Sea University has obtained a seven-year accreditation.

  As the head of the program, Associate Professor, Doctor Maia Chkotua mentioned, changes were made in the program taking into account modern requirements and international standards, with the active involvement of the academic personnel of the School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, potential employers, program graduates, and students. English Philology Program is unique as it is the only program in Georgia where English Language Teacher Training Education Program is integrated. It will give graduates the opportunity to enter the teaching profession.

  The School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences would like to thank those involved in the development of the program, accreditation experts, and the Board of Accreditation of Educational Programs for their active cooperation and support.

  The English Philology Program delivered in the English Language has been operating since 2011 at the International Black Sea University.

• Ambassador Degnan’s Remarks to Media at Parliament

  Question about the event

  Ambassador Degnan: Today was a great opportunity to come to Parliament with our new USAID Mission Director, John Pennell. We had a chance to talk about the many different areas of cooperation and partnership that USAID has throughout Georgia, from economic growth to energy independence, basic education, vocational education, industry-driven skills development, and of course, democracy and governance. We’ve done a lot of good work over the decades with Parliament on developing its oversight capabilities and helping to draft legislation in a number of different important ways that also protect the human rights of Georgian citizens. So, this was a wonderful opportunity to introduce our new USAID Mission Director. As the Speaker himself pointed out, much of his career has been spent in the development sector, in civil society, and so it was useful for us to exchange views on just how important of a role civil society and development organizations play in any government, especially here in Georgia where we’ve had such a long partnership over the last 30 years. I would say in that respect, some of the attacks against civil society have been particularly surprising. As many of the Members of Parliament who have worked in civil society before coming into government know, civil society plays a critical role in a healthy democracy. It’s sometimes uncomfortable to hear feedback from civil society, but that is their role. Their role is to protect the interests of the citizens and to hold the government accountable. Sometimes that feedback is uncomfortable, but they’re not there to work for the government. They’re not there to work for particular political parties. They’re there to work for the public and the rights of the citizens and to hold the government accountable. I think Georgia is fortunate to have a number of very professional, strong civil society organizations that are doing exactly that, whether it’s helping to clean the air, address climate change, or to help develop regulations that protect workers that improve communities. Civil society works across so many different sectors, and I think we should appreciate the good work that they do every day. 

  Question on new members of People’s Party

  Ambassador Degnan: I’m not going to comment on the political developments in Georgia. I think the Georgian public can see very well what’s going on here. There is a confusing message coming from the government between aligning with those who seem to be moving to undermine the partnership between Georgia and the United States, and the statements from the Prime Minister and others about the importance of the partnership between the United States and Georgia and other strategic partners. I prefer to deal with facts. There’s plenty of disinformation and conspiracy theories out there. The facts are that for 30 years the United States has been committed to helping Georgia strengthen its security and supporting Georgia’s sovereignty. For 30 years, the United States has been supporting Georgia in developing its economy, in creating better jobs. I would say some of the good economic figures that we’re seeing in Georgia right now in part relate to the support that the United States, the EU, and other friends of Georgia provided to help cushion the outcome of the Covid pandemic and to help Georgia be in a good economic position coming out of this unprecedented situation, on top of the impact of the war or Russia’s war against Ukraine. For 30 years, the United States has also been trying to help Georgia build its democratic institutions so that the people of Georgia can have greater confidence that this country is moving toward a stronger, healthier democracy. That is what the people of Georgia have said they wanted for decades. The United States has been very proud and pleased to be able to help Georgia with all of those goals: stronger security, a stronger economy, and stronger democratic institutions. We look forward to continuing that partnership. Our meeting today with this speaker and his cabinet was a good chance to renew that partnership and to talk about the ways going forward that USAID and the US Embassy can continue to support Georgia on its path toward a Euro-Atlantic future. That’s what we all want to see: Georgia more fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic family.

  Question on de-oligarchization

  Ambassador Degnan: The issue behind de-oligarchization in any country is how to address undue influence by anyone in the political or the economic processes of a country, anyone who’s trying to influence the operation of government and society through excess money or influence. It’s an issue that many countries grapple with, including my own. There are different ways that countries address undue influence in the political sector, and I think each country needs to debate that and come up with its own solution. I personally don’t think it’s always helpful to just borrow somebody else’s without tailoring it to the specifics of your country’s situation. There are many good examples out there that can be examined and crafted into something that is appropriate for Georgia, and the underlying problem, which is undue influence that affects the political will of the people. For instance, instead of having an election that reflects what the voters have voted, you have a distorted view because there’s been an undue influence on the process. What any law like this is meant to do is to try to ensure that there is transparency, accountability, and a level playing field so that the people’s voice is heard.

  By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi 
• IBSU's legal education program has received seven-year, unconditional accreditation

  Under the unanimous decision of the Council for the Accreditation of Higher Education Programs, the bachelor's program of law of the International Black Sea University has obtained a seven-year accreditation.

  As the dean of the IBSU Law School, head of the program, Professor Ketevan Kokrashvili said, changes were made in the program taking into account modern requirements and international standards, with the active involvement of the academic personel of the Law School, potential employers, and students.

  The Law School would like to thank those involved in the development of the program, accreditation experts and the Board of Accreditation of Educational Programs for their active cooperation and support.

  The law program at the International Black Sea University has been operating since 2010.
• THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS HOSTED US AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA, KELLY DEGNAN AT THE MIA ACADEMY

  To celebrate the 30th anniversary of US-Georgia diplomatic relations, Ambassador Kelly Degnan visited the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The guests were hosted by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Butkhuzi. The presentation of the infrastructural projects, which were implemented with the partnership and support of the USA, was held at the Academy.

  Ambassador Kelly Degnan and the representatives of the US embassy visited mock courtroom, cyber lab, mock border checkpoint, forensic tools, tactical training room and equipment.

  The US ambassador spoke about the importance of tactical training of law enforcement officers and the integration of international practices into the training process.

  Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Butkhuzi expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of the United States of America for US contribution to the Ministry’s capacity building over the years and close cooperation.

  At the end of the ceremony, the US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, handed over the Virtual Shooting Equipment (FATS) to the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

  The US embassy in Georgia has been cooperating with the Ministry of Internal Affairs for many years on the matters of road safety, cyber security, domestic violence, trafficking, tactical training, enhancing the capacities of MIA Academy, juvenile crime prevention, etc.

  Source: police.ge