Abstract:
The topic of this work is discussion and description of activities of United States
Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland in 2012-2015. There is also chronological information
about main political and social situation in Georgia of that period. As you know,
Richard Norland arrived in Georgia in pre-election period and got actively involved in
the elections. In this work his diplomatic activities and participation in various projects
are described in details. One of those projects was supported by USAID in 2013 “Georgian
wheelchairs production network”. During the presentation of this project, where
wheelchairs made in Georgia were exhibited, Richard Norland expressed his support to
disabled people in Georgia who had to move in non-adapted environment.
In one of his speeches, Richard Norland evaluated positively the development
of business in our country and opening American brands in Georgia. In 2015 the fi rst
“Dunkin donuts” restaurant was opened in Tbilisi. Ambassador Richard Norland had a
very good relation with Media that was obvious from plenty of his interviews. He often
mentioned Georgians, Georgian language and Georgian culture with great admiration.
In fact, Richard Norland had a positive relation with leaders of opposition from the
beginning, even his close relation with Bidzina Ivanishvili caused critics. In 2014 former
Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania gave Richard Norland status of Honorable citizen of
Tbilisi for his activities in Georgia. In 2015 Georgia signed association agreement with
European Union supported by United States of America that helped Georgia fi nancially
to fulfi l all necessary reforms. Richard Norland’s warm attitude and love to Georgia and
Georgian people is obvious and can be read in his comment written before his departure.
In my opinion discussion and analyze of Richard Norland diplomatic activities as
United States Ambassador to Georgia is very signifi cant for Georgian-American relations
