(ANSA) - TRIESTE, AUG 20 - Minister Plenipotentiary Daniele Rampazzo, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and a member of the Board of Directors of the People's University of Trieste, visited the Italian communities in Istria. The three-day visit, undertaken together with UPT President Edvino Jerian and Secretary General Fabrizio Somma, aimed to gain firsthand insight into the communities and strengthen collaboration. "I'm here first and foremost to get to know the communities," said Rampazzo. "So far, we've been working on projects with our friends at the Università Popolare di Trieste and the Unione Italiana, but I believe that even for those who will ultimately evaluate them at the coordinating committee meeting, it's important to truly get to know the people and what they do in the communities where they live." During the first stop, the delegation visited Dignano, where—welcomed by Mayor Igor Orlić and representatives of the Italian Union—it discussed issues such as the protection of Italian rights and the Italian language, education, support for cultural activities, strengthening ties with Italy, and funding allocated to Italian communities. The visits continued to the Italian communities in Dignano and Gallesano, before moving on to Pula for the 80th anniversary of the Vergarolla massacre. Together with the Italian Ambassador to Croatia, Paolo Trichilo, the delegation took part in the commemorative ceremonies. "It is a duty we must fulfill," said Rampazzo, "but it is also deeply felt. It is clear that this is one of those events that brings together, in a sense, all the facets of Italian identity in Istria—but also, of course, throughout the world—for those who were forced to leave. And I also believe—in such a meaningful way—that it brings together the communities of those who live here and those who continue to carry the memory of a past that was not easy, but one we must remember in order to build a future that must be a future we share together." The visit concluded in Cittanova, in the presence of numerous officials. (ANSA).