Pirc Musar says Italian president could visit in 2025 as she meets minority
Koper, 27 November - President Nataša Pirc Musar said that Slovenia was often praised in the Council of Europe for its care for ethnic minorities but improvements were always possible, as she addressed a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the law on self-government of ethnic communities in Koper on Wednesday.
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting the exhibition of painter Tone Kralj at the Koper Regional Museum.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting the exhibition of painter Tone Kralj at the Koper Regional Museum.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting the exhibition of painter Tone Kralj at the Koper Regional Museum.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting City Hall and meeting Mayor Aleš Bržan.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting City Hall and meeting Mayor Aleš Bržan.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar speaking to the press as part of her working visit to Koper.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar speaking to the press as part of her working visit to Koper.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting the cathedral in Koper.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting the cathedral in Koper.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar visiting the cathedral in Koper.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar (centre) attending a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the law on self-government of ethnic minorities.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
Koper
President Nataša Pirc Musar attending a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the law on self-government of ethnic minorities.
Photo: Boštjan Podlogar/STA
She also met Italian ethnic community representatives, who briefed her on the challenges they face, and she announced that Italian President Sergio Mattarella would visit next year.
As Pirc Musar told the press after the ceremony, the Italian community is faced with cuts in funds and programmes for them on the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija.
This is not good, specially as the language and culture are the driving force helping the minority preserve its identity, she said.
Pirc Musar hopes a solution will be found for more Italian-language shows, but noted that the Slovenian ethnic minority in Italy is faced with the same problem.
Stressing friendship between Slovenia and Italy, Pirc Musar said that Italian President Mattarella was a role model for her on how to nurture the culture of dialogue.
She confirmed that her office was making all the necessary arrangements for Mattarella to visit Slovenia next year, but did not have a date yet.
Alberto Scheriani, head of the Italian community in Koper, said major steps had been taken since the law on self-government of ethnic communities was passed 30 years ago.
Although they would like the state to provide more funds, he said they had a good relationship with municipalities on the coast, where they could count on funds and aid to deal with administrative matters.
Pirc Musar also met Koper Mayor Aleš Bržan to discuss several topics that are of importance to the municipality and the region, the city of Koper said in a release.
Water supply for Slovenian Istria, and the issue of signs with historical names of some places in Koper were discussed.
Bržan also outlined the city's major investments made in the past few years and plans for the future.
Pirc Musar is due to visit port operator Luka Koper and attend the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Science and Research Centre in Koper (ZRS Koper).
On the occasion, she will decorate ZRS Koper with the Order of Merit for outstanding achievements in science, cooperation with the local community, businesses and international partners and for strengthening Slovenia's reputation in science, education and business.