by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Commander Giuliano Innecco
The city of Trieste conferred honorary citizenship on the Friuli Venezia Giulia Military Command of the Italian Army during a ceremony held in the Municipal Council Chamber on Friday.
Mayor Roberto Dipiazza presented the recognition in the presence of the City Council, military officials, and representatives from civil and religious institutions. The honor was awarded in acknowledgment of the Command’s “constant service to the nation and the local community, as a guardian of patriotic values, discipline, and dedication, and for its contributions to culture, defense, legality, and civic solidarity.”
The Friuli Venezia Giulia Military Command, established in 1954 with its initial headquarters at Villa Necker in Trieste, has played a central role in the city’s security and institutional life. In recent years, it led the “Strade Sicure” operation, working alongside other law enforcement agencies to secure borders and prevent crime through mobile patrols. The Command also provides support for official ceremonies, both military and civil.
During the event, Mayor Dipiazza delivered a speech highlighting the Command’s longstanding collaboration with local authorities and its contributions to public service. He presented a certificate and the Civic Merit Medal to Colonel Giuliano Innecco, the Commanding Officer of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Military Command.
In his remarks, Colonel Innecco expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the enduring relationship between the city and the military institution. He noted that while commanders are temporary, the Command’s seventy-year presence in Trieste represents a lasting bond of mutual respect and cooperation. He also underscored the strengthened collaboration achieved during the “Strade Sicure” operation over the past three years.
The ceremony included a private meeting earlier in the day between Colonel Innecco and Mayor Dipiazza in the Salotto Azzurro of the municipal palace, during which the Colonel signed the City’s Golden Book. Colonel Innecco presented the Mayor with a bronze representation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a porcelain replica of a World War I helmet, and the Command’s crest.
