On 7 October the Government of Flanders decided to open a diplomatic mission in Rome in 2019.

This will be the twelfth General Representation of the Government of Flanders, such as the Flemish embassies are officially called.

Rome will join the current posts in Brussels (for the EU), The Hague, Berlin, Paris, London, Vienna, Madrid, Warsaw, Geneva (United Nations), Pretoria and New York.
The coalition agreement 2014-2019 foresees the expansion of the diplomatic network as part of the further development of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The choice for Rome fell after an extensive selection process. The general Representation will complete the existing offices of Flanders Investment & Trade and Tourism Flanders in Rome and Milan.
Minister-president Bourgeois: "On the one hand, the new post will focus on strengthening the current cooperation and developing political contacts. Both in Rome and in the various autonomous regions of the country. On the other hand it will also act as a liaison office with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which are both based in Rome.” The Flemish development cooperation in Southern Africa focuses heavily on food and agriculture, and often works together with these international organizations.