“Unfortunately, there is a targeted campaign to try to undermine public support of the European path of Georgia,” said outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan.

“A lot of work that we are doing here is to help Georgia to make progress, continue to make progress on that path to Europe that the majority of Georgians are very dedicated and committed to.

I think we do continue to see progress, there has been impressive progress. We are working with many ministries on a local level on the steps that are needed, steps and forms that are needed to be eligible for the European Union and NATO membership. We want Georgia to succeed in that effort, and that is why we have worked with Georgia so closely for decades, we will continue to work with Georgia on that path because we are dedicated to Georgia’s success.

Politicians are politicians and I don’t take it personally what people say about me. I do think that there are some people who sometimes react very emotionally. The focus should be on getting the work done, there is a roadmap, a very clear steps that have to be taken.

And, if the government and political leaders follow the roadmap that has been given to them and come together in an inclusive process, that would show the commitment of the political leaders to fulfill the demands of the public to reach the European Union at least on the next stage.

But it also shows the courage that is necessary to do this hard work, reforms are difficult and everyone knows that. Unfortunately, there is a targeted campaign to try to undermine public support of the European path of Georgia,” she said.

Kelly Degnan remarked that Georgians are used to “this kind of pro-Russia disinformation.” She said this propaganda had been “bombarding Georgians for many years.”

“I am confident that when the truth is made available to Georgians, which is part of what the press and the media does, then Georgians will be able to make the informed choice,” she concluded.