Friendly visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Slovenia

National minorities hold a special place in the relations between the two countries. Slovenia appreciates an open and constructive dialogue on all matters concerning the Slovenian national community in Italy and the Italian community in Slovenia. President Pirc Musar expressed her gratitude to President Mattarella for his respectful and understanding approach towards the Slovenian national minority in Italy. His statesmanlike conduct strengthens trust and friendship between the two countries and is especially valuable at a time when the world too often turns away from vulnerable groups. The Slovenian minority sees in President Mattarella a sincere friend and a supportive interlocutor. The Slovenian President also thanked him for his efforts in returning works of art to their places of origin, which is a positive contribution to the coexistence of the Slovenian and Italian communities. She also emphasised that the contribution of the Italian national community to the richness and diversity of Slovenia's cultural landscape is highly valued in Slovenia.

The President expressed satisfaction that she and President Mattarella will attend the opening of the renovated premises of the Collegio dei Nobili building in Koper, which houses the Pier Paolo Vergerio il Vecchio Primary School and the Gimnazija Gian Rinaldo Carli, both with Italian as the language of instruction. For Slovenians in Italy, as well as for the Italian community in Slovenia, education is crucial for preserving language, culture and identity. That is why Slovenia stresses the importance of strengthening the autonomy of Slovenian schools in Italy and ensuring adequate funding for Slovenian organisations.

The Slovenian President was pleased with the progress made in handing over the National Hall in Trieste to the Slovenian national community in accordance with the agreed timeline. She also highlighted the important minority and reconciliation dimension of the project of Nova Gorica – Gorizia European Capital of Culture 2025, which goes beyond the regional framework and sends a powerful message of peace, cooperation, and joint reflection on the difficult chapters of the past.

In this context, she expressed her belief that the Italian publication of the joint report by the Slovenian-Italian historical and cultural commission on the period 1880–1956 would importantly contribute to the still incomplete process of reconciliation. Such a step would hold particular significance on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Osimo Agreements, which already at the time introduced progressive solutions for economic cooperation and cross-border infrastructure projects.

During the two-day official visit, both Presidents will also exchange views on current international issues. 

In the afternoon, the President of the Italian Republic was also received by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, and the President of the National Assembly, Urška Klakočar Zupančič.