“Go home and talk about Gorizia and Nova Gorica. Speak about the Walk of Peace and a twin city once divided by blood. Now, the biggest conflict is which side has the best ice cream or coffee.”

This is what I told young Europeans in February during a youth dialogue. They came from all over the EU and candidate countries.

Here, where Slovenia joined the EU in 2004, then-Commission President Romano Prodi celebrated. He noted that enlargement had started much earlier with cross-border cooperation initiatives.

The Interreg programmes have been crucial in supporting business, tourism, and culture. Cross-border cooperation often breaks down barriers separating Europeans.

Ive seen many inspiring Interreg projects, like the 4YourSmiles project, improving dental care for children in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine.

The Interreg Danube Region funds over 130 projects, supporting technology transfer and tourism.

In Italy and Slovenia, regional projects promote a greener agri-food industry and better public transport.

These projects break physical and mental borders, encouraging European thinking.

Since last July, Interreg Europe includes seven EU candidate countries, offering EUR 394 million for cross-regional policies.

This aligns with our goal of integrating future Member States into the EU Single Market.

Plans like Green Lanes at Western Balkan borders could reduce waiting times by 50% to 70%, boosting regional GDP by 3%.

Its frustrating to see potential hindered by disputes in the Western Balkans. I dream of a united Europe, free from such conflicts.

Solutions are possible, as shown by Gorizia and Nova Gorica, reunited as European Capital of Culture. The European project is our reconciliation recipe.

We must embrace regional cooperation and trust to move towards a united continent. We have a realistic chance to bring more countries into the EU.

Lets recover Europes optimism, as felt in Gorizia when the Iron Curtain was removed in 2004. People celebrated shared values and righting historical wrongs.

Our European community isnt complete, but cross-border cooperation is a step towards unity.

Thank you for your efforts. Together, we can build the future we envision.