Microstate appoints Welsh consul

Mr Podeschi will represent the 31,000 population of San Marino in Wales

One of the smallest countries in the world has appointed an honorary consul to Wales.

San Marino, a tiny state of 31,000 people located within Italy, has named Federico Podeschi as its first diplomatic representative in Wales.

Mr Podeschi, a San Marino citizen who has lived in Wales since 1997, said he was "honoured to have been appointed as a representative of my country".

San Marino is to be the 31st country to have official representation in Wales.

Rhodri Morgan, the first minister said: "I welcome Mr Podeschi's appointment and I look forward to a warm and lasting relationship between Wales and San Marino."

The new consul is to be officially sworn in on 4 September by the captains-regent, the two joint heads of state elected every six months by the San Marino parliament.

The country is located on the Apennine mountains in the north-east of Italy.

SAN MARINO Population: 31,000 (UN, 2007) Founded in 301 AD by a monk called Marinus 23.6 sq miles (61 sq km) Language: Italian Major industries are tourism, ceramics, furniture and wine An 1862 treaty with Italy secured the state's independence Source: BBC country profile

Wales is about 340 times the size of the mountain state.

Mr Podeschi is an equality and gay-rights activist who has lived in Swansea for 11 years.

He said: "I am available to Welsh individuals and organisations that are interested in the development of cultural connections and trading between our countries and here to help anyone coming from or going to San Marino.

"Closer economic and academic co-operation between San Marino and Wales, both being amongst the smallest countries in Europe, will be mutually beneficial, enhance our competitiveness, and put both countries at the forefront of collaborative leadership."

There are now diplomatic representatives from all around the world in Wales, including Brazil, Kazakhstan, Lesotho and the United States.

The Consular Association in Wales was founded over 80 years ago to allow consuls based in Wales to work together.