The Trieste Municipal Council has laid renewed claim on works of art that the Fascists took from churches and monasteries in Istria during the Second World War and which Slovenia now wants returned.
The Trieste councillors adopted on Monday a resolution calling on Trieste Mayor Roberto Diapiazza to demand from the Italian government confirmation of Italy's ownership of the artwork.
The councillors said that the Italian government must ensure the artwork remains in Trieste given the city's status as the "moral capital of the Istrian exodus", a reference to the mass departure of Italians from the territories that came under Yugoslav rule following WWII.
The resolution of the council has prompted a response from Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, who said today that it reflects the pre-election mood in Italy.
The decision on the artwork is not in the hands of the councillors but the Italian government, Rupel said, adding that the Slovenian government has already asked the Italian government to return it.
Rupel said he was confident Slovenia would get the artwork back in the near future.
The Trieste councillors adopted the resolution in a 16-to-9 vote at the behest of the Alessia Rosolen, a councillor of the far-right National Alliance.
Meanwhile, councillor of the Left Democrats Adela Pino stressed that the artwork is a manifestation of Italian culture in Istria, which is why it would only be right that it be returned to where it belongs.
Slovenian minority councillor Peter Mocnik said the resolution was calling for an "unlawful act", since the artwork belongs to the Catholic Church and not Italy.
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