A Farewell Interview with Ambassador Antonio Enrico Bartoli

After looking at your impressive background, I would like to ask you about your experience as an Ambassador over the many years that you’ve been a diplomat; which country was the most interesting for you?

As diplomats we have the privilege to live more than one life. It’s reality, not megalomania. Not all that glitters is gold, though. It’s exciting, but also tiring (and sometimes can prove even distressing, especially for our families.) Passion and curiosity are the right tools to navigate this multifaceted life. If you are curious, all countries you serve in will turn out to be intriguing and reveal aspects that you hadn’t expected. In each and every one of them you will leave a piece of your heart. Believe me, this is not a diplomatic response. Then, if you force me to single out one mission, and if you measure interest by the yardstick of diversity and cultural challenge, I would consider China the most fascinating and challenging experience for me and my family.

What did you find the most challenging aspect of your position?

If you refer, in general, to the Ambassador’s job, success lies in the capacity to strike a balance between the big picture and the attention for details. You have to identify all the sectors that can better advance the image and the role of your homeland and its relationship with your hosting country. And you go down those paths with tenacity and pragmatism. At the same time, you never lose the big picture and the balance between all the components of the relationship you are expected to develop in a significant and harmonious way.

You’ve had a pretty exciting four years in Georgia, what does these years meant for you and how did you feel yourself in this country?

I felt at home. The piece of heart I leave in Georgia is actually a very big chunk…

What did you miss the most from Italy and what do you think you will miss the most from Georgian culture?

About Italy? I missed my childhood friends, the baroque churches, the pines of Rome, eating spaghetti with clams on the seashore or riding a scooter staring – each evening with the same emotion – at the sunset on the Roman Forum. About Georgia? My family and I will miss it very much. We will miss all our new friends, the incredible hospitality, warmth and dignity of the Georgian people, the amazing beauty of your mountains. Not to mention khachapuri…

Many people compare Georgians with Italians, do you see any similarities between these two nations?

I do. Let me try to point out some of the many features we share. The pleasure we enjoy to make friends feel at ease. The focus on human values. Flexibility. Love for freedom. Ancient history. Natural elegance and creativity. The capacity to find solutions, even at the last minute. The taste for life.

You have traveled around Georgia. What are your favorite places here and is there any place that reminds you of Italy?

To paraphrase Zurab Zhvania: I love mountains, therefore I love Georgia. My favorite region is Svaneti. A treasure chest full of breathtaking landscapes and unique cultural gems, from the towers of Mestia (very similar to San Gimignano’s skyline, in Tuscany) to the village of Ushguli, from the precious church frescos to the ancient icons. Neighbouring Racha is fascinating, too. And has a lot of tourism potential (also thanks to the proximity of Kutaisi airport). The Caucasus peaks are as majestic as those of our Alps. I was stunned by the timeless beauty of Khevsureti and Tusheti, the profile of Kazbegi mountain, the luxuriant vegetation of Lagodekhi, the view from Gombori pass or Nekresi monastery, the fascinating architecture of the abandoned soviet sanatoriums in Tskaltubo, the wilderness of the Akhaltsikhe region, the magic of the cave town of Vardzia (reminding me of Matera’s Sassi in the Italian region of Basilicata).

How do you assess the relations between Georgia and Italy and how do you think it can be strengthened?

Our relationship has a millennial history: the Romans, the merchants (Marco Polo included), the missionaries, the Italian explorer Vittorio Sella visiting Svaneti at the end of the XIX century, the partisans fighting together for freedom, the solidarity shown by Italian families hosting IDP kids for many years after the war in Abkhazia, etc. Political, economic, cultural and scientific relations are constantly expanding. Our friendship is deeply rooted in the past, but projected into the future. Last year saw the historic visit to Tbilisi of the President of the Italian Republic. Many business missions are strengthening economic ties. Our embassy, together with Italian and Georgian institutions, has promoted unprecedented cultural events (150 thousand visitors only for the exhibits). Important projects regarding science, technology, innovation, contemporary art, health, environment, security, agriculture and many other sectors are advancing and deepening our relationship in all directions.

What do you think about democratic developments in Georgia? Is it getting better or worse since you arrived here and what would be your suggestions?

The commitment toward European and Euroatlantic integration is well rooted in people’s sentiments. The reform of the Constitution went in the right direction (parliamentary and proportional system). The commendable efforts for reforms must continue and produce ever more concrete results, in terms of solidity of and respect for institutions, political and media pluralism, reliability of the judiciary and of the public administration, and inclusive growth. This country is important for its strategic geopolitical position and for its democracy. Democracy is a key asset that should never be taken for granted. Georgia has (and deserves) a bright future and can count on many friends. Italy is - and will always remain - one of them.