At a press briefing in Pordenone late on 23 September, Slovenian Interior Minister Franci Matoz told reporters that Italy’s continued suspension of free movement “has not produced negative effects for border communities,” but insisted Ljubljana expects the measure to be lifted “soon.” Slovenia scrapped its own checks with Croatia and Hungary in June and argues that regional police cooperation is now strong enough to dispense with fixed Italian posts as well. Matoz’s comments, delivered after bilateral talks with Italian officials, underscore the diplomatic pressure Rome faces from neighbours and from the European Commission, which must sign off on any further extension of Italy’s derogation. Brussels has already cautioned that proportionality tests will tighten once the new EU Migration Pact enters into force next summer. While the Slovenian minister acknowledged Italy’s security concerns, he proposed expanding mixed patrols and real-time data exchanges as an alternative. Industry groups on both sides of the frontier support the move, citing cross-border commuters who lose up to five working days a year in traffic tailbacks and document checks. Multinational employers with staff operating in the Trieste–Koper logistics corridor should keep monitoring the political negotiations: a mid-winter removal of checkpoints would materially improve journey predictability ahead of the peak manufacturing cycle. Conversely, if Rome ignores Slovenia’s plea, expect Ljubljana to escalate the matter at the next Justice and Home Affairs Council in October. Either scenario could trigger short-notice changes to enforcement patterns; travellers are advised to carry passports or national ID cards irrespective of the eventual policy outcome.
