One of the most notable contributions to the seminar organized by CIEMEN and the Group for Historical and Social Studies Pordenone on "The international relations we want" was one made by the President of the Province of Udine, Pietro Fontanini, who focused on a proposal for the administrative redefinition of Friuli. This project, although being quite old, has gained momentum during the last few months, thanks to the redefinition of the autonomous system in Italy, that is being driven by the government in Rome.

Fontanini recalled that, since its establishment during the years 1948-1963, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (an autonomous region with special statute) has been subject to much criticism. This happens because the creation of this autonomy obeyed to particular, strategic reasons of the moment, merging two different historical regions: Friuli itself, which is now divided into three provinces (Udine, Gorizia and Pordenone), and Venezia Giulia (a territory informed under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, around the imperial port and city of Trieste), which has little to do with the Friulian people. Nevertheless, the headquarters of the regional government are now in the city of Trieste.

The proposal by Fontanini -who is a member of the Lega Nord- is to separate Trieste from Friuli in a way similar to the provinces of Trento and Bolzano: two different historical territories that have autonomy level powers, but that formally remain under the umbrella of a joint region with limited powers. Another party, Friuli Movement, thinks instead that it would be better not to copy the Trento-Bolzano model, but directly to eliminate the common region. This would give birth to two new autonomous regions with special statute: Friuli and Trieste. According to Friuli Movement, this would help in building the Friulian nation.

Three cultures and multilateral relations with neighbors

Both views want to guarantee the internal unity of Friuli and make it visible. They also share the view that Friuli's international role could be clarified and developed in a creative way and as a reference point and meeting place for three great cultures of Central Europe: Latin (the language and culture of the majority of Friulians belongs to this bloc), Slavic (Slovenes living in Eastern Friuli) and Germanic (represented by German speaking communities in the north of Friuli).

The fact that in recent years Friuli's borders with neighboring states have been opened -especially the Slovenian border, closed during the existence of  Yugoslavia- favors the internationalization of Friuli and helps in setting up a European new regional pole there, based on the idea of unity in diversity.

Fontanini believes that, in order to achieve this goal, a consultative referendum must be called. According to him, it is necessary for citizens to get involved from the very beginning: "We have the opportunity to change, to improve, the course of history. Let's not miss this opportunity", he says.