Consular Activity

Trieste has always been home to a small but active Turkish community. During the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city engaged in intense trade with the Ottoman Empire, whose ships frequently arrived in the Free port of Trieste. In addition, many Triestine businesses had offices in Istanbul, which could easily be reached by means of Llloyd Austriaco" lines. In 1842, like the various Catholic communities in the city, the Turks were accorded a small cemetery for Muslim burials.
Upon the request of Greek and Turkish merchants, Emperor Charles VI appointed Captain Liberale di Giacomo Baseo Consul on 18th October 1732. Spiridione de Cazzaiti, Rifat Baraz and Erman Chandam were among his most notable successors.
Eugenio Vatta, Triestine businessman strongly linked to Turkish trade and owner of a cotton and wool importation company, became Honorary Consul-General in 1964. Upon his death in 1992, he was replaced by Dario Samer, a highly active shipping agent of the city who played a crucial role in maritime trade between Turkey and Europe via the Port of Trieste, which increased immensely during the Balkan Wars. Trieste thus became Turkey’s doorway to Italy and the European Union.
In 1999, Enrico Samer, Dario’s son and member of the Doyen’s Council of the Consular Corps of Trieste, replaced his father and transferred the consular offices from Via Einaudi 3 to its prestigious location in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia 7.
Consular duties include assistance to Turkish citizens and companies in promoting trade on the Italian and European market, but the Consulate is also aimed at fostering Turkey’s economy and tourism, for instance through cooperation activities, the participation in international trade exhibitions and the promotion of cultural events and exchanges.
The Consulate has jurisdiction over the Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige regions and the offices are open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5:30pm.

In 2007, Enrico Samer has been unanimously elected by acclamation the new Doyen by the General  Assembly of the Consular Corps of Trieste, thus now he can perfectly match his long standing experience with the needs of the Corps, most importantly expanding its role and visibility.

Corpo Consolare di Trieste
Piazza Unità d'italia, 7 - 34121 TRIESTE
tel. +39 040 67027205 fax +39 040 365988
mail@corpoconsolaretrieste.com
www.corpoconsolaretrieste.com

opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm