The President of the Federation of Associations of Istrian, Fiume and Dalmatian Exiles, Professor Giuseppe de Vergottini, held a frank and cordial conversation via teleconference with the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Benedetto della Vedova, whose responsibilities include the issues of the Adriatic diaspora and the indigenous Italian community in the former Yugoslavia.

The representative of the Draghi Government first confirmed that the national foreign policy is directed with great interest to the Upper Adriatic: with the neighboring countries, the establishment of an increasingly intense dialogue is hoped for, in which the requests coming from the Julian-Dalmatian associations will be included.

The initiatives of the Presidency of the Republic in this area have been highly appreciated by the Federation, which certainly considers the new relations that are being established with Slovenia to be positive. "In this regard - says the President of FederEsuli - the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica - Gorizia represents an exceptional event to demonstrate how profitable the new synergy Rome-Ljubljana can be and the associations of the Exodus are keenly interested in participating in the initiatives that will precede and accompany the event".

Della Vedova then assured the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for the refinancing of Law 72/2001 Interventions to protect the historical and cultural heritage of the communities of Italian exiles from Istria, Fiume and Dalmatia  for another three years, in response to project proposals from the Adriatic diaspora associations that confirm the recent qualitative increase in the activities carried out thanks to state funding.

«Regarding Law 72 – concludes the President of FederEsuli – we recalled the political role of the Federation assisted by the administrative and management support activities of the Università Popolare di Trieste and the Hon. Della Vedova has, finally, raised the possibility of resuming the dialogue so that a Foundation can be established that deals with the history, culture and rights of Adriatic Italianity».

As the restrictions due to the pandemic are being eased, the meeting ended with the hope that a visit by the FederEsuli Executive to the Farnesina will take place by July.

 

Lorenzo Salimbeni