President hopes National Hall in hands of Slovenian community soon
Trieste, 10 July - President Borut Pahor visited Trieste on Saturday to express the wish that National Hall, which used to be the centre of the Slovenian community in the city, be returned to the Slovenian community there as soon as possibly, the symbolic restitution having taken place a year ago.
Trieste, Italy
President Borut Pahor (left) receives a decoration conferred by the city of Trieste as he meets with Mayor Roberto Dipiazza.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
"I ask both the mayor and the regional government to do everything so that National Hall materially belongs to the Slovenians as soon as possible, just as we agreed then," he was quoted as saying by his office.
Trieste Mayor Roberto Dipiazza said there were just a few formal obstacles left, adding that sincere efforts will be made to eliminate them as soon as possible.
The statements came as Pahor was conferred the Tre Sigilli di Trieste, the city's highest honour.
Pahor said the decoration was an expression of sincere and good cooperation "I understand it as your sign that we have to continue on the path of coexistence, cooperation and friendship to protect peace, security and prosperity of us and our children," he was quoted as saying.
Dipiazza conferred the decoration on Pahor for his years of efforts to strengthen relations between the two nations and as an expression of Slovenian-Italian friendship.