(ANSA) - TRIESTE, SEPT.27 - The common goal is to enhance collective cooperation initiatives in order to safeguard and support the interests of the cross-border valleys in the area between Alto Tagliamento, Isonzo, Natisone and Sava, and to develop a common strategy aimed at improving economic and social conditions, preventing depopulation, promoting attractiveness to tourists and developing projects based on mobility and energy.

These are the main objectives of the Cross-border Cooperation Cluster including 25 Municipalities (21 in Italy and 4 in Slovenia) of the Goriska Region and FVG, whose action lines have been presented in Caporetto/Kobarid (Slovenia), in the presence, among others, of the FVG regional councillor for local autonomy and community policies, Pierpaolo Roberti, Slovenia's minister for Development and Strategic Projects, Marko Bandelli, and MEP Alojz Peterle.

''In an era when borders no longer exist - Roberti underlined - the municipalities that signed this protocol, sharing similar features from a geographical point of view and facing the same socio-economic problems, have rightfully decided to collaborate in order to implement shared projects, focusing in particular on European funding.'' With regard to the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the councillor underlined that ''the funds made available by Europe will in all likelihood suffer substantial cuts and it is therefore necessary to work with Slovenia to negotiate with Brussels in order to obtain the financing of as many projects as possible.'' The Slovenian Municipalities of Bovec, Kanal Ob Soci, Kobarid and Tolmin and the Italian municipalities of Taipana (leading partner), Artegna, Attimis, Chiusaforte, Dogna, Drenchia, Faedis, Grimacco, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Montenars, Nimis, Prepotto, Pulfero, Resia, San Leonardo, San Pietro al Natisone, Savogna, Stregna, Tarcento and Torreano have joined the protocol. (ANSA).