National Remembrance Day was introduced two years ago to commemorate ethnic Italians from coastal areas of Croatia and Slovenia who were expelled or killed by the Partisans in the Second World War.
A posthumous award was made to Norma Cossetto, a 24-year-old girl "who was raped and thrown into a pit by Tito's Partisans in October 1943," according to the award citation.
"Evoking the pain and suffering of those who were forced to leave forever their homes in Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia unites us in our respect for them," Ciampi said.
Speaking of "hatred and ethnic purges" in the 20th century, the Italian president blamed them on "dictatorial regimes with perverted racists ideologies" that brought about the Second World War.
He also highlighted today's role of Europe, saying that Italy had tied its fate to Europe that left hatred and grudge-bearing behind.