POLA – Of the 320 European projects that Istria has implemented so far, 88 have been completed with Italian partners and, of these, 19 with Veneto. This was underlined by the President of the Region Valter Flego during the press conference at the end of the meeting in Pula with the Consul General of Italy in Rijeka Renato Cianfarani. «These numbers confirm the considerable weight of Italy in our economic and commercial exchanges» added Flego, explaining that he discussed with the consul the next European tenders to which the Italian and Croatian partners intend to join jointly. Veneto is therefore the privileged partner Region of Istria. It is no coincidence that today Flego will travel to Venice for a meeting with the governor Luca Zaia aimed at illustrating the peculiarities of Istria to potential Venetian investors. Istria, however, has already underlined the role of the Beggiato law for the recovery of the artistic and cultural heritage left by the Serenissima.

Law, approved in 1994 in Veneto, which has allowed 2011 projects to be completed up to 101, with a total value of 2,5 million euros. And it's not over yet. After the ten projects completed in 2013 for 252.000 euros, this year five more are underway for 119.000 euros. After Veneto, in the ranking of the "closest" Italian regions in terms of European collaboration, Emilia Romagna comes in with 12 projects. Friuli Venezia Giulia comes in third with 9 projects. Meanwhile, during the meeting, Cianfarani defined the economic, commercial and cultural relations with Italy as exceptional: "Istria offers further investment opportunities and in this sense we are trying together to identify new segments of cooperation." Asked if the Italian National Community was discussed, Cianfarani answered affirmatively: «The Region has an excellent statute – he said – which establishes bilingualism and guarantees fundamental rights to all minorities in the territory». (pr)

«The Little One», 21/03/14

The Adriatic Observer