Italian Consul General Simone Petroni and Jamal B. Balkhoyoe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cut the cake to celebrate the 68th National Day of Italy in Jeddah.

The Italian Consulate and community in Jeddah celebrated the country’s 68th National Day at the cultural section of the Italian consulate in the presence of the Italian Consul General Simone Petroni, and a number of diplomats in addition to several high-ranking officials.

The ceremony was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of different ministries and governmental groups, businessmen and women, media representatives and VIPs in the Kingdom.

The Italian consul general welcomed the guests on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the foundation of the Italian Republic and commenced the ceremony by commending the strong relations between the two countries.

“The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Italy is very strong in all fields of economy, trade and culture. In 2012, we celebrated 80 years of diplomatic and trade relations between our countries. Last March, an Italian business mission came to Saudi Arabia with the aim to establish and strengthen the long-term business relations between Italian and Saudi companies in specific sectors such as health, sanitizing technology and infrastructure,” the envoy said.