Italian Consulate opens in Yogya

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)