Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster has expressed his readiness to assist the Government of Georgia in establishing an honorary consulate in Bali. The statement was made in Denpasar on Thursday during his meeting with Georgian Ambassador to Indonesia Tornike Nozadze.
During the meeting, Ambassador Nozadze outlined the challenges faced by Georgian citizens in Bali due to the absence of a consular office. He emphasized the need for such representation to provide assistance and facilitate communication for Georgians traveling or residing on the island.
“Thank you for the visit of the Georgian Ambassador, I will try to help and ask someone to find a representative place to support the plan to establish an honorary consulate in Bali,” the governor said.
Opportunities for Broader Cooperation
Governor Koster noted that supporting the establishment of an honorary consulate would not only address existing challenges for Georgian nationals but could also open new avenues of cooperation between Bali and Georgia. He highlighted potential collaborations in the fields of culture, tourism, and investment as areas where both sides could benefit.
The meeting also featured cultural exchanges. Governor Koster introduced arak Bali, a traditional Balinese alcoholic beverage, to Ambassador Nozadze. In return, the ambassador presented a bottle of Chateau Mukhrani, a well-known Georgian wine. Both gestures were described as symbols of friendship and cultural connection between Bali and Georgia.
“We have been waiting for this opportunity to meet for a long time, many Georgians have come to Bali, even a number of Georgian companies have established themselves here, both in the construction and restaurant sectors,” he said.
Growing Ties Between Bali and Georgia
Ambassador Nozadze conveyed his appreciation for the opportunity to hold direct discussions with the regional government in Bali. He reiterated that the absence of an honorary consulate had created obstacles for Georgian citizens, many of whom travel frequently to the island. According to him, hundreds of thousands of Georgian visitors have encountered difficulties in obtaining support without a local consular presence.
“We know that not all embassies have honorary consulates, but we understand the importance of the existence, a few months ago, more than 300 thousand Georgians were recorded in Bali, so we ask for a recommendation from the Governor regarding this problem,” said the Georgian Ambassador.
The ambassador also pointed out that in recent months, investment forums and business meetings had already begun to establish cooperation between Georgia and Indonesia, including Bali. These initiatives, he added, could be strengthened further through the establishment of an honorary consulate.
Ambassador’s Impressions of Bali
Ambassador Nozadze expressed gratitude to Governor Koster for his support and acknowledged his continued admiration for Bali. He mentioned that despite this being his fourth visit to the island, he remained impressed by its culture and hospitality.
The dialogue between the Bali provincial government and the Georgian Embassy marks an initial step toward the creation of an honorary consulate in Bali. While no specific timeline has been announced, both sides affirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and providing improved support for Georgian citizens on the island.
“I believe Bali is a valuable treasure for Indonesia, Bali is also very well known among the Georgian people,” he said.
