Georgia Opens 1st Honorary Consulate in Luxembourg

A new chapter in Georgian-Luxembourgish relations officially opened this week with the inauguration of the Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Luxembourg, during an event held at the Cercle Cité in Luxembourg-Ville.

As reported by the Honorary Consulate, the event marked several significant firsts: it was Georgia's very first official diplomatic event in Luxembourg and the culmination of efforts to deepen bilateral ties, following the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Luxembourg in 2024.

Ambassador Vakhtang (Vato) Makharoblishvili, accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Union, addressed the audience, reaffirming the Embassy's ambition to intensify the relationship between the two countries through economic, cultural and institutional cooperation.

He said: "Our course is clear: Georgia is returning to its rightful place - within the European family of nations. In this journey, we look to our European partners not only for support, but also for inspiration. Luxembourg, in particular, has long served as a source of inspiration for Georgian policymakers. It has often been said - both publicly and with pride - that Georgia has the potential to become the 'Luxembourg of the Eastern Europe'."

He was joined on stage by Peter Sodermans, a Luxembourg-based strategist and founder of a consultancy supporting fast-growing technology ventures. Known for his ability to connect the dots between people, institutions and ideas, he has served for more than a decade as senior advisor to Luxembourg's Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy (SMC). Mr Sodermans was appointed as Georgia's first Honorary Consul in Luxembourg, with a mission to promote bilateral ties and new opportunities.

In his speech, Mr Sodermans emphasised the deep historic parallels and shared aspirations between Georgia and Luxembourg. He highlighted the importance of building lasting partnerships that go beyond diplomacy, rooted in mutual respect, innovation and cultural exchange.

"Georgia and Luxembourg may differ in size and geography," he said, "but we are both nations built on millennia of statehood and a strong sense of identity. This consulate is not just a symbol - it's a bridge to connect our peoples, foster collaboration between our universities, support our entrepreneurs and open doors for meaningful cooperation in Europe and beyond."

He also praised Georgia's economic progress, noting its 9.4% GDP growth in 2024 as well as the significance of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement with the EU, which he described as "a gateway to opportunity and integration into the European single market". Mr Sodermans further welcomed the recent milestone of Georgia being granted EU candidate status, calling it a "historic recognition of Georgia’s European trajectory and its unwavering reform commitment".

The inauguration at Cercle Cité was attended by Luxembourg government officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Luxembourg and leading figures from business, academia and culture - following an invitation extended to the entire diplomatic corps. Serge Hoffmann, Mayor of the Municipality of Habscht - which includes Roodt-sur-Eisch, the location of the Honorary Consulate - was also present, underlining the local support for this new diplomatic presence.

The consulate, working closely with the Georgian Embassy in Brussels, will launch initiatives such as cultural events, collaboration between universities and an aviation rally connecting the two countries. It aims to create the conditions for stronger bilateral economic cooperation, starting with a Georgia-Luxembourg Business Seminar and later endorsing an official trade mission from Luxembourg to Georgia.