Adnkronos Ljubljana, September 10 (Adnkronos) – Tomorrow's meeting in Koper with the Italian community "will allow me to highlight the system of protections that Slovenia, as Italy does within its territory, has built for its respective minorities. This system is an expression of the democratic maturity of our two countries and is also an example for the European Union and the international community.
A topic that Pirc Musar and I have close to our hearts, so that it always receives the attention of the institutions of both countries." This was stated in Ljubljana by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, at the press conference following the meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Natasa Pirc Musar.
"Perhaps it is worth reminding, especially some EU countries that still have similar unresolved issues, that 8 percent of EU citizens belong to a national minority, that approximately 10 percent of EU citizens speak a regional or minority language," the Head of State emphasized, "and therefore this is an important issue in the life of the Union. What Slovenia and Italy are doing represents, I wouldn't say a pioneer (there are other positive, commendable examples within the Union), but it does represent one example of how to proceed along the path of collaboration and mutual friendship."