During the official banquet marking the city anniversary of Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli Governor Paata Khizanashvili and capital city Rustavi Mayor Davit Jikia took turns to thank Honorary Georgian Consul Thelmo Cunanan for his service to their respective constituencies and to Georgia, as a whole.

“We would like to thank our dear friend from the Philippines for helping us in Kvemo Kartli,” said Governor Khizanashvili before the assembled audience. “Filipinos and Georgians are very close now because of his efforts.” Mayor Jikia, for his part, thanked Consul Cunanan for bringing the delegation from the Philippines. “Rustavi sent an official delegation to Cauayan in 2015. I am so happy that our friends there have travelled a long way to visit us. I would like to thank Consul Cunanan for bringing them.”

Consul Cunanan also had a good discussion with the two officials about the future cooperation between the Philippines and Georgia, focusing on the strategic partnerships and friendships established between the Georgian and Philippine local government units. Consul Cunanan promised to promote investments in the area with Philippine and international business groups.

Consul Cunanan was responsible for the sister-city partnerships of Rustavi with Cauayan and Santiago in the Philippines as well as the sister-province relationship of Kvemo Kartli, Georgia and Isabela, Philippines. These are the FIRST such relationships of Georgia with the Philippines and the entire Asia.