(ANSA) - GORIZIA, OCT. 26 - ''Slovenia and Italy can now be rightly considered a model for cooperation in Europe and in the world'', Italy's President Sergio Mattarella said in Gorizia today. ''I'm really happy - he added - to see that the Slovenian community in Italy and the Italian community in Slovenia are both able to witness the pride of their own roots, representing, at the same time, an element of even more unity between our countries''. ''The geraniums that mark the border between Italy and Slovenia today tell us that the boundaries can become bridges that unite'', he added. ''Apart from this place, few other places in Europe can show so clearly the transformation that occurred in the minds, hearts and status of European citizens and the astonishing progress that Slovenia and Italy have made due to their common EU membership and common desire for peace, friendship and cooperation. A boundary which was tangible and visible a few years ago has gradually dematerialised, much to the advantage of an osmosis between the two communities which now provides a paradigm of the EU spirit''. (ANSA).