Question about the event

Ambassador Kelly Degnan: We are delighted to be here tonight to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Georgia. I’ve had a chance to visit with some of our partners during the two days I’ve been here so far, but tonight’s reception is to thank our wonderful partners here in Adjara for all of the great work that we’ve been doing together over the last 30 years. There have been some really important initiatives that have helped develop the economy, develop civil society, develop democracy and local governance, as well as security cooperation, and many other areas that we’re working on with our Georgian partners here in the entire region. So, tonight is really our thank you.

Question on Georgia’s EU application and the possibility of receiving candidate status

Ambassador Kelly Degnan: For 30 years, the United States has been working toward Georgia’s full integration into the Euro-Atlantic community of nations. Almost everything that we have done and are doing here in Georgia is designed to support the people of Georgia’s desire to be part of the European Union and to be part of NATO. That is what the people of Georgia want, and that is what the United States firmly supports. We have been advocating on behalf of Georgia’s EU candidacy because we want to see Georgia succeed in its European aspirations.

When I hear people say that the United States is working against Georgia or trying to drag Georgia into the war or open a “second front,” that is a hundred percent Russian disinformation. That is absolutely not true. The United States has done everything we can to stop this war, to stop the fighting. Even before hostilities broke open, the United States was the country that was working hardest to prevent this war from happening. We absolutely do not want to see Georgia dragged into this war. In our view, what the European Union – what NATO stands for is peace, stability, prosperity. You can see it in every country you’re in: the stability and prosperity and the peace that come with being part of the Euro-Atlantic community. And we want that for Georgia too. We know that’s what the Georgian people want as well. So, we’re going to continue to be fully committed to Georgia’s sovereignty, to its territorial integrity, and to its desire to be fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic family of nations.

Question about the Prime Minister’s recent comments

Ambassador Kelly Degnan: I won’t speak on behalf of the Prime Minister, but what I can say is I don’t know anybody in Georgia who wants Georgia to be part of this war. I think everybody in Georgia is  – and certainly, the United States is very aware—of what Georgians have gone through and how they are feeling. What’s going on in the outpouring of humanitarian assistance and support for Ukraine is a good indication of where Georgians’ hearts are in this fight. What is really needed is not this fighting amongst Georgians. It’s for Georgians to come together. This is one issue where I would hope Georgia’s leaders could put aside their differences and come together in the interest of this country’s future: in the interest of this country’s stability and prosperity. Unity is what is needed right now, not more fighting: unity. I would love to see Georgians live up to their motto of “dzala ertobashia” that’s what’s needed right now.

The Summit of the Americas is not a summit of the U.S., said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday, calling on the U.S. to hear the reasonable call for justice of regional countries and make the summit focus on the regional agenda to promote solidarity, cooperation and people's wellbeing.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

"The U.S. says it does not support the independence of Taiwan, but removed expressions, such as 'Taiwan is part of China,' from the U.S. State Department website. Those who break faith will not only have their reputation tarnished, but also pay the price for doing so," says a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

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In wounded warrior care, access to skilled professionals is as important as modern facilities and equipment. Throughout our 30-year cooperation, the U.S. mission has been helping with both. The 2,000 square meter Maro Makashvili Rehabilitation Center _ constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers _ continues to provide all necessary spaces, equipment, and services as we continue to support the center in expanding its capacity. The U.S. Mission was honored to host subject matter experts from the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Europe and Africa Office of the Command Surgeon, Defense Health Engagement, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Traumatic Brain Injury Program to work with Georgian Ministry of Defense and Rehabilitation Center representatives on finding the best ways for warriors to recover.

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi 

South Korea has been gripped with rising fear over U.S. biological weapons laboratories operated by the U.S. Forces Korea. Civic groups and local residents have taken to the streets to demand the U.S. military take its hazardous weapons and vacate the country. #GLOBALink

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Joe Biden issued a joint statement after their meeting in Brussels on 24 March expressing their condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine and their solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“Today, we are continuing coordinated transatlantic efforts to support the Ukrainian people, impose severe costs on Russia for its unjustifiable actions, and strengthen the resilience of our democracies, economies, and societies,” the statement said. 

They confirmed they would coordinate responses against sanctions evasion and continue to mobilise and coordinate significant humanitarian relief to support people within Ukraine. This includes more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance the United States is prepared to provide and €550 million from the EU.

The EU and the United States said new actions would be taken to strengthen democratic sustainability and protect human rights in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. They will also continue supporting the work of war crimes documentation experts who are gathering evidence on the ground in Ukraine.

Von der Leyen and Biden added that the EU and USA were taking further, concrete steps in energy cooperation to ensure the security of supply and to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

In order to prevent a potential food crisis triggered by price hikes and disruptions to food supply sparked by Putin’s war in Ukraine, the EU and USA intend to redouble their combined efforts to increase global food security and provide direct food aid, where warranted, worldwide.

Both sides will also advance their cooperation on cybersecurity through a variety of actions – from supporting the Government of Ukraine on cyber resilience and cyber defence to aiming to combat the abuse of virtual currency.

Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold a third round of peace talks on Monday, according to a member of the Ukrainian delegation. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone conversation with his French counterpart to discuss the situation in Ukraine. #GLOBALink

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The Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani met with the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan. The main topic of discussions was the ongoing war in Ukraine, the current security environment and the partners’ support of Ukraine. The U.S. Ambassador thanked the Government of Georgia, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for their political and practical support for Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs once again affirmed the close coordination with the strategic partner in the light of the ongoing processes.
"I again received unwavering support from the United States, our main strategic partner, for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration course, and the assessments that followed our statements of support for Ukraine are fully backed and shared by the United States," - he said.
"The United States welcomes Georgia's clear support for Ukraine," Kelly Degnan said after meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry. The American diplomat underlined the support of the Georgian government and people of Georgia for Ukraine, including the importance of the humanitarian aid sent to Ukraine, as well as the support the Ukrainians citizens in Georgia. "We should also mention the very generous donations by the Georgian people, business community and the government, and the humanitarian assistance, as well as the support to Ukrainian citizens, including those here, in Tbilisi, Georgia," Kelly Degnan said.
The U.S. Ambassador also welcomed the Georgian Foreign Ministry's clear support for Ukraine in both bilateral and multilateral formats:
"We strongly welcome the important statements made by Minister David Zalkaliani and the Foreign Ministry regarding Russia's aggression, as well as their clear support within the multilateral organizations like the UN, United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, where Georgia made very important statements of support for the Ukrainian people."

 MFA Georgia

Minister of Defence of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze hosted Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia Kelly Degnan. The sides discussed the security environment in the region and the threats posed by Russia. MOD of Georgia announced it recently.

The sides focused on current issues and future plans for US-Georgia bilateral defence and security cooperation, including planned high-level visits and multinational military exercises.

During the visit of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to Georgia, a multi-year initiative about strengthening Georgia's defence and deterrence policy signed between the two countries' defence ministries was one of the main topics of discussion.

It was underlined that the progress made as a result of the implementation of the Georgian Defence Readiness Program (GDRP) formed the basis of the agreement, which aims to further modernize and develop the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces and supports the country's resilience and capabilities within total defence. The US Defene Attaché, Colonel Stephanie Begley attended the meeting.