Arčon talks cooperation, education in Italy's Val Canale
Cividale, 27 November - Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon met representatives of the Slovenian minority in the Italian region of Val Canale on Monday to discuss ways to strengthen cross-border cooperation. They also talked about the teaching of the Slovenian language in local schools.
Cividale del Friuli, Italy
Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon (centre) meets representatives of the Slovenian minority in the Italian region of Val Canale.
Photo: Government Office for Slovenians Abroad
As part of the visit in Ugovizza, Archo met the mayors of the municipalities bordering Slovenia and Slovenian representatives from the Val Canale valley, as well as members of the Slovenian cultural centre Planika.
They discussed opportunities and projects to strengthen cooperation in this field, and also talked about education, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad said.
After the visit, the minister pointed out in a statement to the press the importance of experimental Italian-Slovenian-German-Friulian classes, which were introduced at all levels this school year.
"Multilingual classes in this area is ... the most beautiful gift for future generations," Arčon said, adding that there were also many opportunities for cooperation with the municipalities of the Northern Gorenjska region and the Soča Valley in Slovenia.
The minister proposed that a European association for territorial cooperation be established in this area, as part of which three neighbouring countries - Slovenia, Italy and Austria - could be connected. This could be a platform for continued exchange.
Before the meeting in Ugovizza, Arčon visited the seat of the Don Mario Černet Association in Malborghetto-Valbruna, which promotes the inclusion of young people and the teaching of the Slovenian language, the government office said.