PRESIDENT CIAMPI ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MINORITY LAW

Ljubljana, 26 January 2001


“The parliamentary bill on the protection of the Slovenian minority in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia is important to Italy and to Slovenia,” writes Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of the Italian Republic, in his reply to the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Kucan. In late December last year Kucan requested Ciampi to employ his influence in the Italian Senate to pass the law, respecting of course the independence of the legislature. President Ciampi also writes that he understands the reasons behind Slovenia's interest in this law and that, due to its importance and the friendship binding the two countries, he has requested the competent authorities to keep him posted on future developments in this regard. President Ciampi expects to meet with President Kucan at the Conference of Presidents of Central European States to be held in Verbanija this June.