Free Trieste

NOTE: this is an old (2013), very outdated initiative. Read about the latest actions for the re-establishment of legality in the Free Territory of Trieste and in its international Free Port HERE.

When it comes to the international Free Port, it is possible joining a civil legal action until December 2022. Free Trieste collects adhesions and provides all information. Find out more HERE

On December 8th, 2013, thousand of people from Trieste and other States attended Free Trieste’s demonstration “Our future is in our Port“.

At the end of the event, the Movement’s leaders presented an 8-point manifesto, the “Ultimatum for the Free Port”. The document, addressed to the Italian Government, provides guidelines for the correct management of Trieste’s international Free Port.

Free Trieste considers that it is important re-activating the Free Port to grant jobs and wellbeing not only to Trieste, but also to the international community.

The “Ultimatum” expires on February 10th, 2014: the Movement hopes to receive clear answers about the port’s future and, even better, to see good deeds.

The 1947 Treaty of Peace is an international law, and also an upper-ranking Italian law. This Treaty establishes the Free Territory of Trieste and its international Free Port, as well as providing their basic law.

Under the 1954 Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Free Territory of Trieste, the Italian Government committed to exercise temporary civil administration over Trieste. This means acting in continuity with the previous British-US Military Government, maintaining Trieste’s full legislation in force, and managing the Free Port in general accordance with arst. 1 to 20 of Annex VIII.

In view of this, Free Trieste seeks compliance with the following, simple 8 points based on Annex VIII:

1. Art. 18.2: “The Director shall not be a citizen of (former)Yugoslavia or Italy”.

This means the Director must be selected with an international call super partes, and the chosen candidate must be vested the powers at arts. 18, 19, and 20.

2. Art.2.1: “The Free Port shall be established and administered as a State corporation of the Free Territory, having all the attributes of a juridical person”.

This means the Free Port of Trieste must no longer be treated as an Italian port.

3. Arts. 4 and 8: when it comes to law enforcement and other measures alike, “Inspection by the authorities of the Free Territory shall be permitted” however, the Free Territory’s own police should be in charge of it.

4. Art.2.2: “All Italian state and para-statal property within the limits of the Free Port shall be transferred, without payment, to the Free Port”.

It follows that it is time to verify and eventually comply by ultimately transferring all assets concerned to the international Free Port: a State corporation of the Free Territory of Trieste.

5. Art.17: Signatories shall “grant in accordance with customary international agreements freedom of postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communications between the Free Port area and any country”.

Postal and telecommunication services to and from the international Free Post of Trieste shall be unhindered.

6. Art.7.1: “The Director of the Free Port may also permit the processing of goods in the Free Port”.

It is vital that manufacturing activities and the processing of good are finally allowed. In particular, Storehouse 26 is in a free zone: it would be a good idea making it a start-up incubator as soon as possible.

7. Art.5.2: authorities “shall not levy on such goods customs duties or charges other than those levied for services rendered”. In particular, we call for the cancellation of the discriminatory measure at art. 4 of the Decree of the President of the Italian Republic No. 107 of May 28th, 2009.

8. Art.18.3: “In all appointments of employees preference shall be given to citizens of the Free Territory”. Given equal competences, the priority is to create jobs for the citizens of the FTT.

We ask an urgent meeting with the following:

Government authorities: President of the Council of Italian Ministers, the Prefect and Commissioner of the Government, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Infrastructures and Transportation. Informally, group leaders within the Italian Parliament.

Administrative authorities: the President of Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, the President of the Province of Trieste. The mayors of the Municipalities of Trieste/Trst, Muggia/Milje, Duino-Aurisina/Devin-Nabrežina, Dolina, Sgonico/Zgonik, and Repentabor.

Businesses: Associazione spedizionieri, port unions, the Trieste Chamber of Commerce, Confindustria, Confartigianato, CNA Trieste, Confcommercio, Confesercenti, Associazione Imprese Assicurative.

Other authorities: Port Authority, EZIT – Ente Zona Industriale di Trieste (the organization for the development of the industrial zone of Trieste).

Religious authorities: Catholic dioceses, Jewish community, Orthodox Serb community, Orthodox Greek community, Muslim community, Evangelical community.

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On February 10th, 2014, depending on the answers of those authorities, Free Trieste is presenting its next actions for the re-establishment of the rule of law in the Free Territory of Trieste.

Lack of answers means no answers, and no answers means a lack of interest in the future and laws in force within the present-day Free Territory of Trieste.