(ANSA) - GORIZIA, FEB 8 - "We will strive to promote rapprochement between our peoples." This is the main message that the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Natasa Pirc Musar, sent in a lengthy speech hosted today by Nem Group newspapers just hours before the inauguration of Go!2025, European Capital of Culture in which the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, will also participate. "The event will be held at Europe Square in Nova Gorica, the symbolic place where Slovenia joined the European Union more than two decades ago," he recalled, "It will be an opportunity to concretely reaffirm the shared commitment that borders, not just national borders, should never be an obstacle to the coexistence of peoples in pursuit of community and European goals. "Today's inauguration of this historic project stirs great emotion, as there has never been a cross-border cultural capital on this scale," he continued, "The success of this initiative will depend on the combined efforts of people on both sides of the border, Slovenian, Italian and European artists, and all those who, in whatever form, want to contribute. It will be through this collective effort that this unique shared capital can grow without borders and become a source of inspiration for others." "It is with sincere desire that I call on all of us to undertake as many joint projects as possible, based on mutual respect, with open hearts and ideas that unite us rather than divide us," the president's appeal. President Sergio Mattarella and I will work to ensure that our next steps are also directed toward a European future, promoting cooperation and rapprochement between our peoples, our countries and all the people who live and work together in this territory, with the aim of creating the conditions for peaceful coexistence." (ANSA).