Joint Declaration

The Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Republic held, in Ljubljana on 19 October 2012, the fourth meeting of the Coordination Committee of Ministers established on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2007.

In 2012, Slovenia and Italy are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Many important high-level events and visits have taken place in both countries in recent period. In 2011 the celebrations marking 150 years of the Unity of Italy and 20 years of the independence of Slovenia were attended jointly by the two Heads of State, which illustrated the commitment of Slovenia and Italy to the strengthening of bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries. In July 2012, the President of Italy paid the first state visit to Slovenia, accompanied by Italian Foreign Minister Terzi, during which they met their respective Slovenian counterparts, President Türk and Foreign Minister Erjavec. The Slovenian and Italians Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs had bilateral talks in Rome, in June and March 2012, respectively. The intensity of high-level contacts reflects an on-going, open political dialogue and dynamic all-round cooperation in various fields. The two countries welcome regular annual consultations held between state secretaries and directors general for bilateral and European affairs, including consultations on economic issues.

The Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Republic will continue to strongly support both the countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey in their accession path to the European Union, underlining the strategic importance of the enlargement process, which has proven to be the best tool to motivate and ensure necessary reforms. In the forthcoming months it is necessary to give a loud and strong signal of permanent engagement by the EU countries in the enlargement process through decisions which, whilst taking in due account the results attained by each Country in its European agenda, might reaffirm and consolidate the credibility of the EU enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans and Turkey. Different regional initiatives and their goals add to the agenda.

Regional formats of cooperation such as the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, which is currently under the Slovenian presidency, and the Central European Initiative, are an excellent opportunity to strengthen both regional policy and dialogue. Therefore, particular attention will be devoted to the future Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion; both countries are committed to the successful outcome of the December European Council meeting regarding the conclusions on the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion. Both sides will continue to actively engage with other EU Member States with a view to obtaining the mandate of the European Council to the European Commission for the drafting of the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregional Strategy. We will continue to fully engage other states in the region in this process and work actively with the European Commission in order to provide our citizens with additional benefits in political, economic, environmental, and cultural domains. Slovenia and Italy stand ready to continue with their activities in support of democratic processes in the Southern Mediterranean – notably Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. They also underlined the importance of regular and intensive dialogue between the EU and the countries in the region. Slovenia and Italy, acknowledging their geographic location in the Mediterranean region, stressed the importance of the Euro-Med dialogue and cooperation and called on the revitalization and enhancement of the Union for Mediterranean and all existing regional and sub-regional forums on dialogue and cooperation. In this regard, Italy welcomes the Slovenian intention to cooperate closely with the 5+5 Dialogue.

Slovenia and Italy are extremely concerned about the dramatic situation in Syria and stand ready to continue to work actively with their EU partners in order to stop all violence and deliver humanitarian assistance to all those in need. They are engaged in preventing further regional instability and preparing for the post-conflict period, and reiterate their call on President Assad to step aside and immediately stop the bloodbath. Slovenia and Italy are concerned about the lack of progress within the UN Security Council, which needs to assume its responsibilities to ensure international peace and security, and call upon its members to unite their efforts and help achieving a political transition in line with the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people. Slovenia and Italy continue to participate to the action of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People, and fully support its work in maintaining international pressure on the Syrian regime. They continue to urge all opposition groups to put their differences aside and agree on a shared vision towards an inclusive, orderly and peaceful transition in Syria.

In view of the financial and economic crisis which has had a serious impact on the EU, Slovenia and Italy as partners in the EU agree on the need to enhance consultations between the two states on measures stimulating growth and competitiveness in the EU, which would contribute to the stability of the euro area, and on the need to work closer on the coordination of other relevant European policies. The key EU challenges need to be addressed by working hand-in-hand. Slovenia and Italy welcome the proposal to hold high- level consultations between the two states on EU policies, including institutional affairs and the forthcoming discussions on the future of Europe, and other financial and economic issues.

The two countries strive for the development of both the Slovenian minority in Italy and the Italian minority in Slovenia and will actively support the two autochthonous minorities, considering them and their historical heritage an important asset in today’s Europe. The two countries welcome the recent establishment by the Italian Ministry of Interior of a permanent institutional table for the Slovenian minority, where the issue of financing will also be discussed. Both Parties acknowledge the importance of financing of the minorities, despite the financial and economic crisis. The Parties also look forward to the expected draft framework law in favour of the Italian autochthonous minority in Slovenia. Hence, the both sides will not only preserve the existent protection measures of positive discrimination but also develop them further.

The Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Republic took note of the progress made in different areas of cooperation on the basis of the previous Joint Declaration signed in Rome on 17 February 2011, and have agreed as follows:

 As regards economic and commercial cooperation, the Parties welcome the dynamic and growing bilateral interchange which during the decade 2002-2011 has almost doubled. Positive trend also continues in the first half of 2012. Both Parties expressed their interest in further increasing mutual trade, investments and other forms of industrial cooperation. The Parties recently signed an agreement on cooperation among GOIS (Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster) and AIAD (Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence and Security), which is an important step towards increasing trade flows. Both Parties are willing to increase trade and mutual investments and to provide their SMEs with opportunities of cooperation and of business linkage. To this end they will make every effort in order to organise an event aiming at fostering the establishment of joint-ventures and of other forms of industrial cooperation between Italian and Slovenian SMEs, mainly in the innovative and high-tech sectors.

 As regards the European Territorial Cooperation, both sides will support the strengthening of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Structural Funds “European Territorial Cooperation” objective regarding both the current and the next financial perspective 2014-2020. In addition to transnational and interregional cooperation, they will facilitate the implementation of cross-border cooperation programmes in order to contribute to sustainable development and competitiveness of the interested territories in line with EU2020 goals. This will be built on the experiences of the current programming period.

 As regards infrastructure and transport, the Intergovernmental Commission approved the results of the feasibility study of the cross-border railway line between Trieste and Divača on 30 June 2011, adopted EEIG establishing act and harmonised the amended decision on EU co-financing on 3 July 2012, all of which will expedite the work on this project.

 Take all efforts to expedite the steps to establish EEIG, complete environmental assessments and spatial planning, which will ensure the completion of the preliminary and final designing for this project by the end of 2015 and, in this respect, the deadlines and the financial flow provided for in the amended Commission Decision.

 Make additional efforts to strengthen collaboration between the ports of Koper, Trieste, Venice, and Ravenna in the context of NAPA (North Adriatic Ports Association), which also comprises the port of Rijeka (Croatia), in order to reinforce the historical function and tradition of the North Adriatic ports in terms of a unique logistic system and to keep the NAPA ports as “core ports” in the new TEN-T networks and reaffirm the potential of the Northern Adriatic Sea corridor as a multimodal gateway to the EU TEN-T network. This also requires the effort to ensure access of the ports to northern Adriatic hinterland markets of Central and Eastern Europe, the establishment of equivalent infrastructure (equivalent to the inclusion in the corridors of the new Financial Perspectives 2014- 2020 under the new regulation TEN-T), the progressive harmonization of legal framework regulating the port activities.

 Both countries agreed on the importance of their inclusion into the Baltic – Adriatic Corridor, which, together with the Mediterranean Corridor - is of great economic and strategic importance for the connection of the North Adriatic ports to the European transport network and then both to the Central and Eastern European market and to the growing Asiatic markets.  Promote the exchange of experiences and best practices on the facilitation of maritime transport, supporting maritime safety and security whilst ensuring protection of the marine environment. With increased volumes of maritime traffic in northern Adriatic, the increased risk of maritime accidents is becoming a harsh reality; therefore, further cooperation in terms of prevention, preparedness and crisis management would be much appreciated. An exchange of views on the possibilities for mutual cooperation in the improving of vessel traffic monitoring in the Adriatic (ADRIREP, VTS, AIS) and the establishment of national Single Windows in line with the FAL directive 2010/65/EC could be further explored and would be beneficial to both Parties.

 As regards energy, both countries highlight the commitment to energy efficiency and to working together on the diversification of gas supply as well as on establishing new transmission and merchant power lines.

 In the light of the Slovenian plans to increase domestic and industrial consumption of natural gas in the area of Koper - Capodistria and taking into account the objectives of the Third Energy Package and the gas pipelines already present in the area, both sides acknowledge and support efforts by the Slovenian and Italian transmission system operators Snam Rete Gas S.p.A. and Plinovodi d.o.o. to elaborate a coordinated project for local interconnection in the area of Osp/San Dorligo della Valle - Dolina.

 In the field of telecommunications, both Parties agree to respect the international treaties, valid in both countries, regarding the use and coordination of the allocated radio frequency spectrum and safeguard mutual interests on the basis of the principle of equitable access. Both Parties recalled the bilateral meeting held in Venice on 16 May 2012, which stated inter alia that the interferential situation has improved to some extent, although a number of interference cases, also reported to ITU, still have to be solved. As regards FM radio stations, both sides agreed to continue devoting their utmost attention to the issue to make evident progress in the shortest possible time. Slovenia is going to host next bilateral meeting in the beginning of next year, which should be devoted to consideration and realization of action plan, prepared by Italy.

 As regards the environment, to continue and enhance regular consultations on trans- boundary strategic environmental aspects, including population and health, marine and coastal biodiversity conservation, transport and security, according to EU legislation, EU best practices and international obligations.

 Recognize the need and importance of anticipatory policies and of preventing, mitigating and monitoring significant adverse environmental impacts in a trans- boundary context, and to continue cooperation and the exchange of information regarding energy, including nuclear energy, and other infrastructural projects in the border area in compliance with the provisions of international conventions, to which both countries are parties, especially the Environmental Impact Assessment in a Trans- boundary Context, and with the provisions of the EU legislation, especially the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and Air Quality Directive.

 Promote collaboration in pursuing the objectives of the Syracuse Charter on biodiversity in the Adriatic region.

 Intensify the implementation of the Regional Working Programme for the Coastal and Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean, including the High Seas.  Continue cooperation in identifying and implementing measures for the achievement of EU environmental goals concerning water, the marine environment, biodiversity and sustainable development, especially through enhanced sub-regional cooperation in implementing the EU Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive; the EU Biodiversity Action Plan, together with the post-2010 framework on biodiversity; the ICZM and the SPA-BIO Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, and the EU Recommendation on integrated coastal zone management through the development of an Adriatic region;

 Enhance cooperation within the Joint Commission for Protection of the Adriatic Sea Waters and Coastal Areas for the drafting of the Strategy for the Adriatic on the basis of the Joint Statement on Environmental Protection of the Adriatic Sea (Portorož 2008).

 As regards integrated territorial development: Slovenia and Italy recognize possible added value of tools for sustainable development of marine areas and coastal zones, such as maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management, which need further enhancement of cooperation in order to support smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the Adriatic area. Integrated territorial development will continue also between Gorizia, Nova Gorica and Šempeter-Vrtojba, under the recently established legal entity - EGTC.

 The Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Republic took note of the positive cooperation within the Alpine Convention. They underline the importance of Alpine potentials for the development of the Alpine area and neighbouring regions.

 As regards education, science and technology, the Parties agree on the mutual interest in further strengthening on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, bilateral scientific and technological cooperation, including cooperation in international and European programmes, between scientific institutes, scientific societies, universities, government agencies and other research and development organizations, thus contributing to their economic and social development. The two sides agreed to start the drafting of the 6th Executive Programme of Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the years 2014- 2016 at the beginning of 2013.

 The Parties agree that a Slovene language chair at the Sapienza University of Rome, the largest and one of the oldest Italian universities, founded in 1303, is of utmost importance, as well as the Italian language chair at the University of Ljubljana. Slovenia welcomes the fact that funding was made available by the Italian side to mantain a chair of Slovene language and literature at the Sapienza University of Rome.

 The Parties will recommend to Slovenian and Italian universities members of the Euro- Mediterranean University to enhance their cooperation by jointly developing and implementing study programmes in the priority areas of research of the Mediterranean region and to disseminate best practices.

 Both Parties will study the feasibility of the institution of a Slovenian section at the Conservatorio di Musica Giuseppe Tartini in Trieste. Both Parties agree to create without delay a joint committee to define measures for the provision of study programmes in selected Universities in border areas for initial and permanent training for teachers teaching in Slovenian and Italian languages, respectively in Slovenia and Italy.

 Furthermore, the Parties shall promote a review of the mutual system for the recognition of diplomas and professional titles in order to provide for the highest possible mobility of students and teachers in mainly the border areas. To this end, both Parties agreed to nominate a joint committee within a three-month period.

 As regards culture, both Parties agree to launch the preparations for the next meeting of the Mixed Slovenian-Italian Commission and to continue negotiations on the new Executive Programme of the Cultural Agreement between the Republic of Slovenia and the Italian Republic for the 2013–2016 period.

 The Parties acknowledge their common interest in strengthening the cultural life of minorities and enhancing minority educational system in both countries. They agree that special treatments and standards are needed in order to ensure appropriate level of education comparable with the level of majority schools.

 The Parties agree to strengthen bilateral cooperation in promoting cultural exchange and cooperation in culture and to promote establishment and implementation of direct cooperation between respective cultural and artistic institutions to be based on individual agreements between partners. Special attention will be devoted to promote cultural legacy. With a view to enhancing the knowledge on the Slovenian art in Italy, Slovenia will organise the exhibition "Slovenian Impressionists and Their Time, 1890- 1920" in Rome.

 With regard to recent trends in tourism, the two countries will continue to facilitate bilateral tourist flows. They will also continue the cooperation within regional and international organizations and initiatives, in which they are both active participants.

 The two countries emphasize the importance of the “Walk of Peace” project, also as part of the cooperation in culture and tourism.

 With a view to further enhancing Schengen cooperation between Slovenia and Italy, the countries will promote visa representation agreements based on the Schengen Code.

 The Parties welcome the initiative of entrapreneurs and other individuals interested in the further development of bilateral ties, to create an independent association which will contribute to the organization of exchanges of best practices and significant promotional events in various fields concerning economic and commercial cooperation, culture, scientific and technological research and tourism.

A mid-term assessment of activities of the working groups in the above sectors will be carried out by the spring of 2013. The next Coordination Committee of Ministers will be held in Italy by the end of 2013.

Ljubljana, 19 October 2012

For the Government of Forthe the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Italian Republic Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs Karl Erjavec Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata