The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad announced on Thursday the opening of a new consulate in the Italian city of Bologna.

The consulate will cover the two regions of Marche and Emilia-Romagna, where some 40,000 Tunisians live, according to a statement from the Ministry.

There are now 6 Tunisian diplomatic missions in Italy (a consulate general in Milan and 5 consulates in Rome, Naples, Genoa, Palermo and Bologna).

President Kais Saied had appointed Afif Traouli to head the new consulate, the ministry said, noting that the new consul took up his duties on March 20, pending the reinforcement of the mission with the necessary human resources.

In this context, the Ministry stressed that logistical preparations and coordination with the Italian and Tunisian parties concerned, as well as the equipping of the consulate with the necessary equipment, are continuing at a steady pace.

"All consular services should be available by May 2024," said the same source.