by InTrieste
In a pivotal development for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Italian officials yesterday signed a landmark Program Agreement, marking the first official commitment by the Government to engage with the European Commission about implementing Annex VIII of the 1947 Peace Treaty. This annex addresses the possibility of a preferential tax regime for the port of Trieste, positioning it alongside other EU free ports and zones.
Governor Massimiliano Fedriga of Friuli Venezia Giulia emphasized the significance of the agreement during a press conference held at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The signing ceremony, which also included the MSC Group’s pledge to reindustrialize the Bagnoli della Rosandra production site, underscored a substantial shift in the region’s economic strategy.
“In this document, we address the long-standing requests from the Trieste area and the Region,” Fedriga stated. “This agreement marks a decisive step towards opening formal discussions with the European Union regarding the customs extraterritoriality regime for the Free Ports of Trieste. This could be a historic opportunity for regional development, potentially unlocking possibilities that have been out of reach for the past seventy years.”
The accord comes as a significant boost for the area, which has long sought a more advantageous economic framework to enhance its competitive edge within the EU. The anticipated discussions with Brussels will focus on whether Trieste can benefit from tax incentives comparable to those available to other free ports and zones across Europe.
