Free Trieste

U.N. document S/2015/809 confirms the Free Territory of Trieste

Trieste, 15 January 2016. – During its 3dr press conference, the International Provisional Representative of the Free Territory of Trieste – I.P.R. F.T.T. presented the recent United Nations document S/2015/809.

Document S/2015/809 is a review of UN protection regimes regarding different territories and States. Its importance for Question Trieste is that this review confirms the present-day Free Territory‘s legal status.

In explaining the document, the I.P.R. F.T.T. clarified that, since 1992, the Free Territory consists in the main zone, formerly “Zone A” (see map). The present-day FTT has no territorial claims against either Slovenia, Croatia, or Italy, and it desires the best possible relations with its three neighbors.

Indeed, since 1947, the present-day Free Territory of Trieste is an independent sovereign State, it has the only international Free Port in the world, and it is under a special trusteeship mandate. The UNSC is its guarantor under UNSCR 16 (1947), hence its inclusion in the new document.

This new confirmation of the Free Territory’s legal existence is fundamental for actions in defense of Trieste’s citizens, residents, and enterprises. In particular, it is one more instrument to protect their rights, starting from the integrity of the international Free Port.

Indeed, the international Free Port only exists as a State Corporation of the Free Territory (art. 34, Annex VI), and all UN Member States are entitled with rights over it.

Since 1954, this provisional administration is sub-entrusted to the Italian Government. The Italian Government exercises through Italian officers, who serve as the local civilian Government. Unfortunately, even after the Cold War Era’s end, the Italian Government’s local representatives simulate Italian sovereignty over Trieste.

This UN document makes it easier addressing the local Italian authorities seeking the re-establishment of the rule of law.

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Italian part of the press conference: LINK

English part of the press conference: LINK

Update: read further information and analysis about the document by Roberto Giurastante, (LINK) and from investigative newspaper “La Voce di Trieste” (LINK).