The EGTC GO management and staff sincerely congratulate their president, Paolo Petiziol, who was awarded the title of Grand Officer, a high honor of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic,on November 3.

During a well-attended ceremony, the Prefect of Udine, Domenico Lione, presented awards to 25 citizens, who have distinguished themselves for their significant contribution to society. Among them, the highest honor went to Petiziol — an economist and diplomat, expert in the geopolitical processes of Central and Eastern Europe. As Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic and president of the Mitteleuropa Association, he has dedicated his career to fostering relations between Italy and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, receiving numerous honors from European governments — including Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia — for his contribution to dialogue and cultural cooperation among peoples. Since 2021, he has been the fourth president of the EGTC GO, a role previously held by Franco Frattini, Robert Golob, and Matej Arčon.

Paolo Petiziol’s commitment to dialogue among cultures and European institutions is fully reflected in the spirit of the EGTC GO, created to overcome borders and build stable cooperation among Gorizia, Nova Gorica, and Šempeter-Vrtojba. Under his presidency, the path begun with the victory of the title of European Capital of Culture has found continuity and operational strength, accompanying the concrete realization of GO! 2025 and consolidating the role of the EGTC as a driving force of cross-border integration.