NEWS

Open issues should be resolved in an atmosphere of traditionally good bilateral relations

Dr Dimitrij Rupel, the adviser to the Slovenian Prime Minister on foreign affairs, today in Rome met the adviser for foreign affairs in the office of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Mr Valentino Valentini. Mr Rupel handed his counterpart a letter from the Slovenian Prime Minister, Mr Borut Pahor, addressed to the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Mr Silvio Berlusconi.

 

The talks were constructive and touched upon certain aspects of the budgetary discussion in the Italian Parliament related to the funds to be earmarked for the Slovenian minority in neighbouring Italy. Dr Rupel and Mr Valentini agreed that the tradition of good relations between the two states and governments should be maintained, and that the same should apply in the issue of the respective minorities. The Slovenian and Italian sides agreed that any politicisation of open issues which can be resolved practically should be avoided. The two sides also agreed that with regard to the issue of financial means for minorities, the content of specific activities should be analysed.

 

The Slovenian Prime Minister and the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic will further discuss the aforementioned matters whilst attending the next European Council meeting, to be held at the end of this week in Brussels.