An official inauguration ceremony was held in the city of Milan, Italy, to mark the opening of the Consulate General of Georgia. The event was attended by high-ranking guests invited from both Georgia and Italy.

“The opening of Georgia’s diplomatic mission in Milan - one of Europe’s most important diplomatic hubs - covering eight regions of Italy, represents a significant step forward in Georgian-Italian relations”, - said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia during her address at the ceremonial event.

She spoke about the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the 2 countries, emphasized the importance of the Consulate General’s operations in ensuring the effective protection of the rights and interests of Georgian citizens.

“Our existing ties - our shared history, culture, and all that unites our two nations - make Italy particularly attractive to our compatriots. In this context, the presence of a Georgian diplomatic mission in Milan is both necessary and important to ensure the protection of their interests and the accessibility of consular services. The Consulate General will not be limited to performing only consular functions. Its activities, in cooperation with the eight regions of Italy - each playing a crucial role in the country’s economic, political, cultural, and social life - will be directed toward deepening political, economic, and cultural relations. I am confident that we will achieve significant success in this regard.

Through close cooperation, friendship, and mutual respect, we will be able to strengthen the ties between our two countries in line with Georgia’s national interests, work together for a peaceful future in Europe, and contribute meaningfully to that shared vision”, - said Maka Botchorishvili.

The guests gathered for the ceremony were addressed by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze; Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze; Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala; Prefect of Milan, Claudio Sgaraglia; the Vice President of the Lombardy Region, Marco Alparone. In celebration of both the official opening of Georgia’s Consulate General and Georgia’s Independence Day, a concert by the ensemble Basiani and an official reception were held at the historic Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco) in Milan. Members of the Government of Georgia were in attendance at the event. The Consulate General of Georgia in Milan covers 8 regions in northern Italy: Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta, and Veneto.