The Syrian consulate in Rome announced today, Tuesday, November 12, the commencement of its consular services for members of the Syrian community.

The Syrian consulate stated in a statement via its Facebook page that it will start providing consular services to Syrian nationals as of today, Tuesday.

The consulate added in its statement that it will welcome visitors at the consulate premises during official working days from Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The Syrian consulate in Rome also published its contact numbers for inquiries from Syrians.

The reopening of the Syrian consulate in Rome comes following Italy’s efforts to engage with the Syrian regime.

Last July, Italy decided to appoint an ambassador to Syria, marking the first move after European countries called for a reevaluation of relations with Syria and engagement with the regime, with Italy among them.

Reuters reported on Friday, July 26, that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that Stefano Ravagnan, who was the special envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Syria, was appointed as ambassador in Damascus.

The appointment of an ambassador for Italy in Damascus was made to “highlight” the country, according to Foreign Minister Tajani.

Thus, Italy becomes the first country among the G7 nations to reopen its embassy in Damascus since March 2011.

The Group of Seven (G7) includes the United States, Japan, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy.

On July 22, last month, the British Financial Times newspaper reported on calls from Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia for a reevaluation of relations with Syria and engagement with the regime.

In October, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated before the Italian Senate that it is essential to review the EU’s strategy regarding Syria and to work with all stakeholders to create the necessary conditions for the voluntary, safe, and sustainable return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

Italy closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 and suspended its diplomatic activities in Syria due to the regime’s use of “unacceptable violence” against citizens.

Similarly, the Syrian consulate in Italy has ceased activities since 2012, as has been the case with other embassies and consulates in Europe, and EU member states severed their relations with the Syrian regime.

During the closure of the Rome consulate, Syrians in Italy managed their documents and transactions through the Syrian consulate in the Austrian capital, Vienna, as noted by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.