Statement by the President of the Republic of Slovenia on the anniversary of the signature of the Paris Peace Treaty with Italy

Ljubljana, 12.2.2010  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, emphasises that we must not forget the tragic experience of the Second World War and its immediate aftermath. This is of relevance in the light of the anniversary of the conclusion of the Peace Treaty with Italy, signed in Paris on 10 February 1947, which is one of the fundamental basis for post-war peace and stability in Europe and for the development of relations that built the present European Union.

We must also understand the need for honest, fair and tolerant discussion on the period of the Second World War. Slovenia greatly values the attention paid by the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, in his statement in February last year to the suffering that Fascism caused to people, among them numerous Slovenians. This has - even if it was not repeated this year - a permanent significance in understanding the suffering of all victims throughout the Second World War and its aftermath.

President Türk agrees with President Napolitano who, in his speech on 10 February this year, called for good understanding between neighbouring countries and for resolving the open questions. We need comprehensive dialogue, in particular between historians and different civil society groups, from Slovenia and Italy, and also from other countries. Dialogue of this kind is necessary to establish the full historical truth in public opinion, to eliminate prejudices and to create an atmosphere of trust, which is required to resolve all open questions. Slovenia is greatly interested in resolving open questions, including those related to financing the activities and cultural development of the Slovenian national community in Italy, on the basis of the applicable legal obligations and obligations under international law. The anniversary of the Peace Treaty, 10 February, is a day on which we should also be reminded of today's minorities and work for their benefit.