DECEMBER 4, 2009

The new Ambassador of the United States presents his credentials. Ambassador David H. Thorne presented his credentials to Captains Regents Francesco Mussoni and Stefano Palmieri during a ceremony at the Palazzo Pubblico in the presence of the Republic’s highest authorities and of the U. S. Consul General in Florence, Mary Ellen Countryman. In his accreditation speech, the Ambassador highlighted the affinity of values upon which the historic friendship between our two nations is founded. For the full text of the Ambassador’s remarks please click here .

Ambassador Thorne continued his day in San Marino by meeting with Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Antonella Mularoni, and by attending a working lunch with a government delegation comprised of Secretaries Fabio Berardi (Tourism and Sports) and Giancarlo Venturini (Environment and Agriculture). During the meetings, the government leaders underlined San Marino’s interest in increasing economic exchange with the United States, particularly in the sectors of tourism, education, and finance.

Ambassador Thorne replaces Ambassador Ronald P. Spogli, the first U.S. Ambassador to be accredited in San Marino. Please click here for photos of this event.

NOVEMBER 4, 2009

San Marino Secretary for Public Education and Culture meets the Consul General. San Marino Secretary for Public Education and Culture Romeo Morri called on Consul General Mary Ellen Countryman to inform her of his imminent travel to the United States where he will visit the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

JHU has invited Secretary Morri to discuss the possibility of an exchange agreement with the San Marino University. During the meeting at Palazzo Canevaro, the Consul General reaffirmed her offer to establish an internship program at the Consulate for a young Sammarinese interested in international relations.

OCTOBER 1, 2009

The Consul General visits San Marino. On October 1, Consul General Mary Ellen Countryman visited San Marino to participate in the ceremony for the change of the Captains Regent. During her visit, the Consul General met with Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Antonella Mularoni and Secretary of State for Budget and Finance Gabriele Gatti and discussed recent Sammarinese achievements in bringing the country’s financial system in conformity with international standards.

JULY 10, 2009

San Marino Government delegation meets the Consul General.The Secretary for Political and Foreign Affairs Antonella Mularoni, the Secretary for Finance and Budget, Gabriele Gatti and the Ambassador of San Marino to Washington, Paolo Rondelli have met with the Consul General of the United States of America Mary Ellen Countryman and Political/Economic Specialist Fabrizio Giannozzi for a working lunch in Palazzo Canevaro, the American Consulate General building.

During the meeting, the Consul General and the State Secretaries reviewed future initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The following issues were discussed: the Sammarinese participation in the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September; the expansion of the Sammarinese Embassy in Washington DC; the outcome of the recent meeting between a delegation of the Sammarinese Central Bank and major American financial institutions in Washington DC; the development of the Rimini-San Marino airport and the prospects for the economy of San Marino.

Finally, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Consul General agreed upon a general program for the ceremony in which the new Ambassador of the United States to San Marino will present his credentials to the Captains. President Obama has appointed David Thorne, who is awaiting confirmation from the U.S. Senate.

Please click here for pictures of the event.

APRIL 1, 2009

Ceremony for the Change of the Captains Regent. Consul John Larrea represented the U.S. Government at the ceremony for the change of the Captains Regent (San Marino's joint Heads of State).

Diplomats from all major countries traditionally travel to San Marino for this special occasion, which occurs twice a year. On April 1, visitors paid homage to the new Heads of State, Massimo Cenci and Oscar Mina, who began their six-month term in office.

January 27, 2009

Ambassador Ronald Spogli made a farewell visit to San Marino heads of state, and to the newly-elected Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs, Antonella Mularoni.

During a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Mularoni and Spogli exchanged views on ways to address the world's financial crisis, to increase protection of intellectual property rights, and to cooperate to stop financial support to international terrorism.

Ambassador Spogli was the first U.S. Ambassador accredited to San Marino and visited the country several times since his accreditation in the spring of 2007, to promote commercial exchanges.

Please click here for a picture of the event.