A courtesy visit was paid today, Wednesday, September 23, 2026, by the Ambassador of Italy to Greece, Mr. Paolo Cuculi, to the headquarters of the Port Authority of Heraklion, in a particularly pleasant and cordial atmosphere.
The Most Excellent Ambassador was warmly welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of O.L.H., Mr. Minas Papadakis.
Mr. Cuculi was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Oriana Mannaioli Cuculi, the First Secretary of the Embassy, Mr. Alberto Amadei, as well as the Honorary Vice-Consul of Italy in Heraklion, Mr. Paolo Bartolozzi.
The Italian Ambassador’s visit to O.L.H. is part of his broader official tour of Crete. The central pillars of this tour are the strengthening of the Italian business presence on the island, the reinforcement of regional partnerships, and the promotion of cultural heritage. A key reference point of his tour is the long-standing international archaeological cooperation of eight Italian universities at the iconic archaeological sites of Phaistos and Gortyn.
In this context, the discussions at O.L.H. focused on the further development and deepening of bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on the tourism sector. The strong preference of Italian tourists for Greece, and especially the younger generation, was highlighted. As noted, young Italians consistently choose popular Greek destinations for their holidays, spearheaded by Crete, the Ionian Islands, and the Dodecanese, drawn by the culture, natural beauty, and quality leisure options.
Furthermore, prospects for closer cooperation in the fields of trade, entrepreneurship, and maritime transport were examined.
The meeting concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts and a commitment from both sides to maintain an open line of communication for the future implementation of joint development initiatives.
