On Wednesday evening, I had the honour of attending the Independence Day reception of Georgia at the Embassy of Georgia in Brussels. The event was kindly hosted by His Excellency Mr Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of the Mission of Georgia to the European Union, together with the Mission of Georgia to NATO.

As the Honorary Consul of Georgia in Luxembourg, it was a special occasion to mark my first official participation in such a significant celebration — not only of Georgia’s independence, but also of the deep ties that unite our countries and peoples.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was a meaningful conversation with His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras. We spoke about the unique spiritual life on Mount Athos, which I had the opportunity to experience in 2023 during a visit with my son. Together, we stayed at the historic monasteries of Vatopedi and Pantokratoros. The peaceful atmosphere, the centuries-old traditions, and the warm hospitality of the monks left a lasting impression on us both.

This personal memory reminded me that diplomacy is not only about official relations — it is also about human encounters, shared values, and cultural understanding.

Quote by Peter SODERMANS:

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and to help strengthen the relationship between Georgia and Luxembourg — not only through economic and political cooperation, but also through cultural, educational and spiritual exchange.

📍 Embassy of Georgia, Brussels

📅 11 June 2025

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