President Pirc Musar and President Mattarella reiterate the importance of building cultural and other bridges between the two countries during the visit to Koper

"Today is a great celebration for all of us who believe in the power of culture and education. Istria has always been a crossroads and meeting point of cultures and languages. Koper already enjoyed this reputation during the Renaissance as Caput Histriae – the Head of Istria, mainly due to its extremely prolific artistic and scientific activity, which even earned it the nickname 'the Athens of Istria'," the President pointed out in her opening remarks.

She also recalled the notable figures who once studied at these very premises – among them musician Giuseppe Tartini, historian and lawyer Pietro Kandler, economist and Enlightenment thinker Gian Rinaldo Carli, and writers Pier Antonio Quarantotti Gambini and Fulvio Tomizza.

On this occasion, the President expressed her gratitude to President Mattarella for his understanding of the importance of minorities as a bridge between the two countries. She addressed him specifically regarding the role of Slovenian minority schools in Italy and underlined the expectation that the Italian state will respect international agreements and ensure that these schools can continue their quality work without interruption throughout the entire Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, where the autochthonous Slovenian national community has lived and worked for centuries. She added that Slovenia devotes the same care to the Italian community in Slovenia, including the school in Koper which they officially opened together today.

The two Presidents also visited the premises of the Italian national community in Koper. The Slovenian President emphasised that minority educational institutions are not a cost but a treasure and a valuable asset — the living roots of the community that play an important role in shaping the history, culture and identity of the coastal towns. In her words, Slovenian Istria stands as a European model of successful coexistence, linguistic diversity and cultural openness – an example of a mature and inclusive democracy.

"Several important steps have been taken to maintain good neighbourly relations and to acknowledge the mutual painful events of the previous century. We must continue this journey, step by step. I would like, together with President Mattarella, to further strengthen this excellent cooperation, which is and must be in the interest of both countries and both nations, which history has several times seen on opposing sides. It is also thanks to the integration-oriented minorities, both the Slovenian in Italy and the Italian in Slovenia, that today people in the border region live in a very positive atmosphere," she said, emphasising that the respect for both minorities represents a cultural bridge between the two countries.

In the afternoon, the two Presidents will visit the Praetorian Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Koper. They will also attend a ceremonial session of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Koper at the Praetorian Palace.