As part of Slovenia’s presidency of the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC), the Director General of the Directorate for War Veterans and Military Heritage met with representatives of CEDC member states – Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland (observer country).
Over the weekend, an expert meeting on the preservation and maintenance of First World War graves and cemeteries took place in the Soča Valley. The discussions were hosted by the Walk of Peace Foundation in Kobarid.
At the opening of the meeting, Director General of the Directorate for War Veterans and Military Heritage, Mr Matjaž Ravbar, presented the priorities of Slovenia’s CEDC presidency, which Slovenia assumed on 1 January 2026. He also introduced the work of the Directorate, which since 2021 has consolidated all activities in this field under the Ministry of Defence.
In line with the main topic of the meeting, a detailed presentation was given on the work of the War Graves and Cemeteries Sector. The sector is responsible for the maintenance and management of war graves and concealed burial sites, maintaining the official register of war graves and records of concealed burial sites, upgrading the DEDIVOJ database, supporting the Government Commission for the Resolution of Issues Related to Concealed Burial Sites, and carrying out research and other interventions at war grave sites. A historical overview of the preservation of war graves and cemeteries in the region was also presented.
Ms Maša Klavora, Director of the Walk of Peace Foundation in the Soča Region, presented the foundation’s work, with a focus on the Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic project. Spanning over 500 kilometres and connecting more than 300 memorial sites, the trail links the heritage of the First World War and promotes messages of peace, cooperation, and friendship among nations. She also highlighted ongoing international projects carried out in cooperation with participating countries at the meeting, as well as with Slovakia, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, and Ukraine. Together, they are developing the concept of a European Walk of Peace connecting key First World War sites across Europe.
Mr Mihael Uršič from the foundation presented a project establishing a database of soldiers fallen in the First World War, developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the European Capital of Culture 2025 initiative. The database is continuously being upgraded and is accessible via the Walk of Peace website.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed that such expert gatherings are highly valuable, as they highlight shared historical experiences and strengthen cooperation among countries. War graves and remembrance efforts also carry contemporary relevance, serving as a reminder of the realities of war and contributing to a vision of a more peaceful future.
The expert meeting was followed by a visit to the well-maintained First World War military cemetery in Loče near Tolmin and the Kobarid Museum dedicated to the First World War. Participants were welcomed and addressed by the Mayor of Tolmin, Mr Alen Červ, and the Mayor of Kobarid, Mr Marko Matajurc.
