Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs addresses minority rights in meetings in Trieste/Trieste/Trst

20.03.2026

On the occasion of the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Executive Secretariat of the Central European Initiative, Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon visited Trieste/Trieste/Trst on 17 March. During her visit, she addressed key issues concerning the political representation of the Slovenian minority in Italy, discussing them throughout the day both with representatives of the minority and in a meeting with her Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani.

At the beginning of her visit, Fajon met at the Slovenian Consulate General with representatives of the Slovenian national community, including representatives of AGSM member organisations SSO, SKGZ and SSk. In addition to issues related to education, the recognition of diplomas and demographic developments, the main focus was on the political participation of the minority. It became clear that, particularly in the context of a planned new electoral law in Italy, there remains a significant need for clarification.

Representatives of the minority highlighted the need to implement existing legal provisions, in particular Article 26 of Protection Law No. 38/2001, which provides for measures to facilitate political representation. At the same time, it was emphasised that current draft legislation does not take the Slovenian minority into account. Different approaches to improving representation were also discussed, including models based on existing arrangements for other minorities.

The meeting was regarded by the minority representatives as an important signal of support from the Slovenian government. At the same time, Fajon underlined the importance of close and continuous cooperation, as well as the role of minorities in fostering stable relations between neighbouring states.

Later in the day, Fajon also raised these issues in a bilateral meeting with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani. She emphasised the need for a legal solution to ensure the political representation of the Slovenian minority both in the Italian Parliament and in the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Slovenia also reaffirmed its support for the implementation of the existing protection law and welcomed the suspension of planned cuts to the management structures of Slovenian schools in Italy.

The discussions underline the importance of institutional guarantees for the political participation of national minorities and at the same time highlight that these issues continue to require attention at both bilateral and European levels.

Sources and further information (in Slovene):

• https://www.primorski.eu/se/slovenija-in-manjsina-zelo-dobro-sodelujeta-FF2142546
• https://www.primorski.eu/se/v-ospredju-srecanja-olajsano-zastopstvo-v-parlamentu-JF2142658
• https://www.primorski.eu/se/fajon-s-tajanijem-o-vprasanju-zajamcenega-zastopstva-manjsine-MF2142853

Photos: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia