Italian Consulate opens in Yogya

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Italian government officially opened its consulate in Yogyakarta on Friday, with the hope of boosting cultural and commercial exchanges between Italy and the historic city.

"We expect this (opening of the consulate) will help Italian businessmen and tourists become better acquainted with the great potential offered by Yogyakarta," Honorary Consul Signora Dominique Tommasi told The Jakarta Post during the inauguration ceremony for the consulate at the Yogyakarta Century Sapphire Hotel on Friday evening.

Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Italian Ambassador to Indonesia Alessandro Merola also attended the ceremony.

Tommasi said Yogyakarta itself and Hamengkubuwono's national role in the fields of education, art and culture were key reasons for the establishment of the Italian Consulate in the city.

"Besides being the center of education, Yogyakarta is also the center of Javanese culture," she said.

Hamengkubuwono expressed his gratitude for the establishment of the Italian Consulate, which is the first foreign consulate in the city. He said the presence of the consulate would improve cultural and commercial relations between Yogyakarta and Italy, which would benefit both countries.(44)