Italy and Croatia Strengthen Ties in Economic, Tourism Cooperation
Italy and Croatia are united in an economic and tourist alliance: this was affirmed by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the first President of the Italian Republic to visit Istria. The visit took place on October 9, almost as a sign of Croatia’s imminent accession to the European Union.
“Italy and Croatia have the duty to jointly exercise their responsibilities in the Adriatic, strengthening cooperation in the economy, tourism, environment, science, and the fight against organized crime,” Ciampi stated during his visit.
Recently, at Garda, Ivan Jacovcic, one of the top political authorities in Istria, expressed the belief that there could be mutually beneficial economic and tourist exchanges between Istria and Veneto.
Forty-two-year-old Jacovcic, leader of the regionalist party Dieta Istriana, which administers the vast majority of municipalities in the region, was until a few months ago Minister for Europe in the Croatian government, a position from which he resigned to assume the presidency of the Regional Council.
During his brief visit to the lake, he met with the mayor of Garda, Davide Bendinelli, at the municipal offices.
Collaborative Initiatives and Tourism Promotion
“It was an extremely cordial meeting,” Bendinelli said, “at the end of which we mutually committed to establishing friendly relations and cooperation. Moreover, both Istria and our lake have economies largely based on tourism, and we intend to forge ties with nearby tourist regions.”
For example, a recent meeting with the mayor of Innsbruck already pointed in this direction. A first form of joint promotion between Garda and Istria, as well as between Garda and Innsbruck, is planned in the coming weeks.
“During the upcoming Christmas events, ‘Between the Olive Trees’ — Bendinelli announced — we will host foreign delegations that will introduce us to Istrian wine and truffles, as well as typical products from Austrian Tyrol.”
Origin of the Meeting and Role of Political Figures
But how did this occasion for a meeting between the municipality of Garda and the Istrian political leader come about? “The idea,” Bendinelli recounts, “came from our fellow citizen, Angelo Cresco. He has been in close friendship with Jacovcic for years. It was Cresco who proposed that Jacovcic come visit us on Garda.”
Ivan Jacovcic undoubtedly appears to be a significant reference point for establishing and strengthening collaborative initiatives.
Always a supporter of making Istria an EU region, Jacovcic was a driving force behind regional autonomy, initially opposing communist governments and later opposing then-President Tudjman.
His well-known Europeanist spirit led him, as previously mentioned, to take on the role of Minister for Europe in the Croatian government, with the aim of accelerating his country’s entry into the European Union.
Today, he is President of the Istria Regional Council and a friend of Garda.
