BALCINET by BALKAN PRESS CENTER

Newsle er 2/2009

25-28 November

th Mayors’

Summit

2009 Thessaloniki Presiding City

With this slogan, the mayors and their representatives who participated in the 10th Mayors’ Summit of BALCINET defined their common strategy for the years to come.

Hand-in hand with citizens Citizens’ views, their daily lives, their needs, their demands, their dreams become a focal point for Balkan Municipal Authorities.

y discussing the critical issues of the present time, such as the economic recession and crime, the mayors presented the progress made in the digital applications which unfold tremendous opportunities so as to: Innovatively approach the real and everyday needs of the citizens. To create new jobs in a digital environment. To display their sensitivity for the weaker and needier social groups. To contribute to the common development of the cities through their tourist promotion, their cooperation against crime and the exchange of valuable experiences. With the aim of all the countries gaining accession to the European Union, the mayors plan to extend their cooperation in taking full advantage of European programs. Through these positive messages, BALCINET is forging an impressive dynamic to seek solutions both from the national governments and from the international organizations. DECLARATION Page 4-5

The BALCINET Summit took place at the "Ioannis Vellidis" Congress Centre of HELEXPO.

Economic Recession

Digital Era

ASSILIS PAPAGEORGOPOULOS Address: “In the first decade of BALCINET we have exchanged views, experiences, and concerns; we have emphatically declared our decision to work together on a number of major issues. The top priority of our Declarations has always been, and still is, the European prospects, the common European future of Balkan cities, the

V 2010

PHOTO: George Tsiantoukas

Crime and Drugs

future of Balkan peoples. Following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU, our goal for the coming years shifts to the Western Balkans as well as Turkey. Besides, at our previous meetings, topics such as illegal immigration, drugs, the environment and climatic change, children and their needs, culture and monuments, urban regeneration, European Programmes and so on,

have enriched our dialogue and marked our common course of action. The topics of today’s 10th Mayors’ Summit were decided by our Executive Secretariat, which convened last May in Thessaloniki and took into account current affairs, economic and social issues and developmental prospects of our times. MAYORS’ ADDRESSES Page 2-3

The Presidency of BALCINET for 2010 is to be undertaken by the City of Tirana

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Representations of Sarajevo, Timişoara and Pireaus

PAPAGEORGOPOULOS: The Mayor of Thessaloniki referred extensively to the tried and tested practices of citizen participation, enforced by the City through conferences, volunteer actions and local referendums. “BALCINET has taken a turn towards this direction, granting emphasis to the citizen and his needs.”

26 December

Thessaloniki

2009

Official opening and Mayors’ Addresses

Presiding City

HE 10 th MAYORS’ SUMMIT opened shortly after 10 am with the official opening of the Conference by Vassilios Papageorgopoulos, Mayor of Thessaloniki and President of BALCINET, who welcomed the participants and presented the Summit’s outline. Mr. Papageorgopoulos proceeded to a review of the common initiative undertaken by the 32 municipalities, underlining that “we succeeded in getting acquainted, forming ties, establishing inter-Balkan cooperation among the municipalities and rendering BALCINET into an institution of international accord.” Also addressing the Summit were the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Decentralization and E-government, Ms. Theodora Tzakri, the Chairman of the Prefectural Council of Thessaloniki, Mr. Lefteris Tzolas, the Secretary-General of the Balkan Press Center, Mr. Dimitris Dozis and the Director of HELEXPO, Mr. Themis Kartsiotis. The Deputy Minister noted that within an unstable environment marked by conflicts and alliances, opportunities and subversions, arises a need to adopt flexible and effective models of cooperation. “Such a model of wide-spanning cooperation is presently seen among the cities, promoted through fertile dialogue and mutual assistance. The diplomacy of the cities has acquired such strength that it often replaces the classic forms of diplomacy,” Ms. Tzakri stated, adding “as such, the initiative taken by the Municipal authority of Thessaloniki to form the Balkan Cities Network is not a common model of cooperation, but is, rather and foremostly,

a confirmation of the neighboring cities’ commitment to the principles of friendship and cooperation.” The BALCINET Summit took place at the "Ioannis Vellidis" Congress Centre of HELEXPO. Managing Director Themis Kartsiotis had the opportunity to refer to the two conference events that are presently underway in Thessaloniki, namely POLIS and INFOSYSTEM.

Ms. Theodora Tzakri

Mr. Lefteris Tzolas

Mr. Themis Kartsiotis

2011

Economic Recession Mr. Zoran Damjanovski

Mr. Milan Randjenovic

Ms. Albana Dhimitri

Consequences and threats. Proposals and perspectives for the cities and the urban societies. The Mayor of Kumanovo Zoran Damjanovski opened the talks on the economic crisis by underlining that the municipality enforced a series of programs to alleviate the citizens. The city of Kumanovo executed a pioneer project for the distribution of natural gas which resulted in the formation of a municipal enterprise, whose investment amounts to 10€ million. Emphasis was also granted to the creation of a regional road, a 3€ million project. Also, part of the municipal fees where re-directed to development projects and new jobs, while a number of eco-friendly projects were also drawn into the “Green Kumanovo” programme. Representing the mayor of Nis, Milos Simonovic, the city’s director of Economic Development Milan Randjenovic referred to the efforts underway to attract foreign investment in the region. Mr. Randjenovic also stated that the city is organizing a business forum aiming at open-ended talks with investors and there are various networks that

Mr. Sasa Igic aim at cooperation with organizations abroad. He also stated that the city has founded a resources center for the city’s unemployed and systematically works on infrastructural improvements, with particular emphasis given to the airport of Nis and highways E7 and E10. In closing, he stated that resolving the visa issue is also a matter that is being worked on in order to boost trade and economic relations. The Vice-Mayor of Tirana, Ms. Albana Dhimitri, stressed that the responsibility to provide solutions to the economic crisis lies with the national governments, not the municipalities, whose role is supplemental. Ms. Dhimitri referred extensively to the city of Tirana and the transformation it has undergone during the past decade. The Vice-Mayor of Novi Sad, Mr. Sasa Igic referred to the extensive projects executed throughout the city, with axis the existing infrastructure. New highways, road extensions, river piers, sidewalks and numerous other projects all form a new image of Novi Sad.

The Presidency of BALCINET for 2011 (1st half ) is to be undertaken by the City of Varna

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th Mayors’ 10 Summit

Representations of Tetovo, Kumanovo and Tirana

Digital Era Digital municipal services for the citizen and the visitor The Mayor of the city of Patras, Mr. Andreas Fouras, stated that the city’s broadband network constitutes a top priority, as it is linked to free Internet access points and to the extensive development of applications for communication with the citizen and for his information through the municipality’s central gate, as well as thematic gates pertaining to referendums, the promotion of the Patras Carnival, and other. Mr. Fouras also stated that, within the following year, the optic fibers network is to cover a length of approximately 150 kilometers. The Municipality of Patras participates in numerous co-funded projects, in cooperation with the academic and technological institutions, productive bodies and social institutions. Also, the city has formed networks with other municipalities of the southwestern Peloponnese in order to establish mutual use of the information systems. The Mayor of Peristeri, Mr. Andreas Pachatourides, focused on the provision of e-services to citizens. “We’re constantly updating and modernizing these new digital services so that we can better enable our local citizens to communicate with their city,” he stated, stressing that “our cities have to become smarter, more flexible and more effective.” The Vice-Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Benjamin Karakonstanoglou underlined that the City was on time in entering the digital age and referred to the numerous related projects executed by the Municipality, some of which are: The informations system for citizen service The development of a geographic informations system. The cross-municipal system of citizen service Modernization of municipal libraries

2011

Mr. Andreas Fouras

Mr. Andreas Pachatourides

welfare of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those suffering from chronic illnesses. The Economic Development Director of the Timişoara Municipality, Ms. Aurelia Junie, referred to the city’s small economic miracle, a city with an unemployment rate of a mere 3% and one that has numerous investments form the computer and automobile industries. One of the most extensively used applications by the city of Timişoara is the GIS, which provides thorough overage of the city’s real estate. Furthermore, the city enforces the epayment system, which covers for 97% of the incoming local fees and taxes. Also, all city council meeting are broadcast online. Another indication of Timişoara’s impressive development is that the city’s national theater presents works in three languages: Romanian, Hungarian and German. The Mayor of Banja Luka, Mr. Dragoljub Davidovic, underlined that the modern technological applications are among the most important aims of the municipal authorities. The city has formed a strategy for the development of new plans and for the inclusion of the international experience in implementing innovations from other cities. The mayor presented a detailed document in the English language, outlining the activities being developed in Banja Luka.

Ms. Aurelia Junie

Mr. Dragoljub Davidovic

Criminality and Drugs Mr. Benjamin Karakonstanoglou The compilation, digitalization and documentation of cultural material. The modern cultural infrastructures, with emphasis on the “culture kiosks”. The first is presently underway at the Arch of Galerius (Kamara). Also, a number of innovative projects are being promoted for the tele-

the Municipality is taking measures towards, prevention- rehabilitation and containment of drug use, while he also stated that a methadone treatment center has been operating since the year2003. Sarajevo City Councilman Mirsad Sabaredzovic proposed a new form of BALCINET cooperation in order to offer, as he stated, assistance to society. “The problem is a common one and we should form an advisory committee in order to address the drugs problem.” He stressed that the city of Sarajevo has undertaken significant efforts, pointing out that the drug trafficking roads in the Balkans are well-known. In closing the morning session, Mr. Papageorgopoulos underlined that “we need to forge our unity, strengthen our ties and exchange our experiences.” He characteristically said that “we’re sitting at the same table, and that’s how our cooperation should be in the Balkans.” “We chose three topics of utmost importance, which have concerned us for years now. Through our cities’ development and through the application of social policies, we will be able to face the economic crisis. We ought to utilize the European programmes. We should communicate ,more easily, tear down all remaining walls, promote our tourism advantages and support our human resources.”

The daily life threats, the state responsibilities and the municipal antidotes The Vice-President of Varna, Mr. Hristo Bozov, noted that his city’s population is growing by 12,000 new citizens on a yearly basis, while during the summer season the city’s population expands to more than a million. Mr. Bozov referred to the way the city’s agencies are organized in order to face the region’s crime rate

Mr. Hristo Bozov that is a result of drug trafficking. With a detailed outline, Mr. Bozov presented a map of drug trafficking routes and showed analytical data gathered by the police authorities on drugs and drug users (for example, the average age of those arrested on drugs is 27 years old). Referring to the future, he stated that

Mr. Mirsad Sabaredzovic

The Presidency of BALCINET for 2011 (2nd half) is to be undertaken by the City of Timişoara

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thMayors’

Summit

Representations of Varna, Nis, Novi Sad and Peristeri.

...we elect the city of Thessaloniki as the Presiding city of BALCINET for the year 2009; we commonly agree that the City of Ankara will host the Cultural Festival of BALCINET members in the summer of 2008 and we renew our appointment for a year from now, at Sarajevo, the Presiding city for 2008, at the annual BALCINET Mayors’ Summit.

26 1November December

Thessaloniki

2009 2007

Joining our Forces for Citizens in United Europe

Presiding City

HESSALONIKI Declaration: We, the Mayors of major Balkan Cities, convened in Thessaloniki, presiding city for 2009, at the 10th anniversary BALCINET Mayors’ Summit and declare our long-standing dedication to the development of inter-Balkan, inter-municipal cooperation. During a period where past conflicts are being replaced by the peaceful co-existence of Balkan peoples, BALCINET highlights city diplomacy as the driving force of developments, as a means that can help overcome any problems that might arise from national incongruities, particularly in regard to citizens’ everyday life. In the first decade of its historical course, BALCINET managed to establish ties of friendship and cooperation among the Municipal Authorities of major Balkan cities; these are essential foundations for steady and consistent development into the future.

During the new decade, based on the foundations of these relations, a new course for deepening BALCINET lies ahead, since our interests, actions and declarations are now Citizen-centred. Citizens’ views, their daily lives, their needs, their demands, their dreams become a focal point for Balkan Municipal Authorities. Through close cooperation, collective actions and joint programmes of its members, BALCINET aims at becoming more widely known to our citizens through responding to the problems of major cities and intervening at international Fora - first and foremost, that of the European Union. “HAND-IN-HAND WITH CITIZENS” is the slogan of our first decision. In any case, the goal of European integration in the Balkan region finds Western Balkan states intensely preparing and Turkey undertaking efforts towards reforms. We, the Mayors of major Balkan cities, invite those leaders of

our countries that have not yet received an accession negotiation date, to proceed with necessary actions so that, by 2014, Western Balkan states, and then Turkey, may receive the green light to enter our common European home. We are joining our forces with central governments so as to achieve this common goal. It is a unique opportunity for us to jointly, once again, in a creative way, look to our future with cooperation, inspired by the noble values of humanism and democracy in accordance to the European ideal. Along with Balkan states in united Europe is the slogan of our second decision. As for the topics of the Summit, the following are declared:

Economic Recession Support for local authorities through resources and competencies from central government as well as their networking and cooperation against protectionism and isolation are the basic prerequisite conditions to face the side-effects of the global economic recession in citizens’ daily lives. We are inviting central governments to proceed directly to necessary reforms towards substantial decentralisation, particularly in countries like Greece, so as to keep up with European standards. Furthermore, BALCINET city-members, in order to raise resources to support their work, shall intensify their cooperation in the following sectors: Effective use of European programmes and economic aid programmes from international organisations; Tourism support through mutual promotion of BALCINET member city destinations; Raising ecologic awareness among citizens so as to save economic and environmental resources, and, Effective use of private funds and investments in partnership with municipal authorities. Under the responsibility of the Executive Secretariat, a proposal to this effect is to be submitted to the EU, in the context of the spatial programme for South East Europe for the development of related know-how through actions assisted by European funds. Furthermore, Municipal Authorities shall intensify their efforts to support employment and assist vulnerable population groups.

Digital Era The mayor of Thessaloniki Vassilis Papageorgopoulos.

PHOTO: George Tsiantoukas

Municipal services for citizens and visitors are a prerequisite condition for the development of mobility and cooperation in our region.

Newsle er 2/2009 5 Representations of Bania Luka, Gjirokastra and Korce

2012

The Presidency of BALCINET for 2012 (1st half) is to be undertaken by the City of Banja Luka

Common initiatives: 2 specific proposals HE Secretary-General of the Balkan Press Center, Mr. Dimitris Dozis, presented the participants with two specific proposals for common initiatives and spoke on the following: “1. In cooperation with the universities we are trying to bring closer the scientists who are working for our geographical region, in all sectors, such as economic research, archaeology, development and culture. We are creating a databank that will be extended to businessmen, the media and, of course, to the Local Government. 2. Concurrently, we strive to endow a Balkan character to the Panhellenic Journalism Conference that is being held for the past 17 years at the island of Samothrace, in the Northern Aegean Sea.” In closing, Mr. Dozis referred to the principles that characterize the journalists of northern Greece. “We work individually and collectively for the respect and protection of life, freedom, personal security and human value, without distinctions based of nationality, race, language, religion or political beliefs. “We work for defending and safeguarding peace through the development of friendly ties among the governments and the peoples. We work for growth and progress.”

After lunch in the New City Hall of Thessaloniki. Through EU funding and self-funded initiatives, several member cities have developed and continue to develop important digital actions. This kind of know-how shall be transferred to other BALCINET member-cities so as to fully use corresponding EU programmes or self-contained actions.

Criminality and Drugs The threats of daily life bring Municipal Authorities to the focal point of efforts towards prevention and awareness-raising within society. Some prerequisite conditions for attenuating the problems of criminality and drugs entail that law enforcement forces will de-

PHOTO: George Tsiantoukas

tect and shut down premises where addictive substances are manufactured; central health systems will treat users as patients, while dealers will be indicted; illegal immigrants will be treated humanely and they will be immediately repatriated by state authorities; legal immigrants will be assisted by Municipal Authorities so that a sense of security may be established in inner city areas and the neighbourhoods of major cities. The role of Municipal Authorities is important for the social reinclusion of former users and people released from prison; BALCINET member-cities should exchange know-how in order to reinforce their efficacy by developing joint actions. We invite the central governments of Balkan countries to support the efforts of countries to enter the Schengen Zone; 2011 is the immediate goal for Bulgaria and Romania and then for the remaining countries, so as to ensure security and mobility in our region.

We declare, that, according to our statutes, the presiding city for BALCINET for the first half of 2011 is to be the city of Varna, for the second half of 2011 the city of Timişoara and for the first half of 2012, it is to be the city of Banja Luka. We renew our appointment for the 2010 Mayors’ Summit in Tirana.

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th Mayors’

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Representations of Patras

Hand-over of BALCINET Flag to the City of Tirana, Presiding City 2010

Exchange of presents

1-2 October

2005

th Mayors’

Craiova Presiding City

Development

RAIOVA Declaration: We, the Mayors and representatives of major Balkan Cities who met in Craiova, under the presidency of Mayor Antonie Solomon, declare the need to reinforce inter-Balkan inter-municipal cooperation and reaffirm our will to proceed with joint actions and initiatives aiming at the participation of major Balkan cities in the development, reconstruction and, mainly, establishing peace, friendship and stability in our broader region. We establish our countries’ common European prospects and we declare our will to cooperate towards European integration, utilizing opportunities provided by European Programmes and promoting the principles of subsidiary and proximity within the framework of national legislation, aiming at reinforcing decentralization and self-government. We are concerned about the problems of increasing criminality and the scourge of drugs and we call upon our countries’ governments and European authorities to fully cooperate so as to eradicate the illegal trafficking of persons and addictive substances, their production and trade, to enhance prevention and information campaigns organized by Municipalities and to address users as patients and dealers as criminals. For the fight against drugs we state our will and exigency to cooperate. We state our will to cooperate with an open mind and soli-

Summit

...our next important meeting will be at the regular Mayors’ Summit in 2006 in Ankara and in 2007 in Novi Sad.

Business communities

darity on issues such as better addressing immigration waves and phenomena of social exclusion created by urbanism and the way major cities have developed in recent decades. We establish systematic communication through the website of the Balkan Cities’ Network and the publication of a

newsletter that will be published quarterly and will include recent information concerning Network activities and interBalkan cooperation in various sectors. Furthermore, apart from cultural exchanges and hosting events that render the residents of major Balkan Cities active participants in our joint actions, we consider cooperation between Municipalities on technology issues to be a necessary prerequisite condition; our participation in POLIS, the International Exhibition of Self-Government agencies that will take place in Thessaloniki, comprises an interesting opportunity for exchanging knowhow and keeping up with new developments. We also consider issues of cooperation among business communities through World Trade Centers, Exhibition Centers and Chambers to be very important and we support efforts to promote our broader region as an international emerging pole that is suitable for tracking investment initiatives and high yield trade activities. From Craiova, Romania, we are addressing the entire world and particularly our neighbouring countries, sending messages of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation, messages of the local communities of major Balkan Cities that are taking the matter of their common future in their own hands. This resolution will be sent to the governments of our countries, to the European Union and to the European Commission.

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nd Mayors’ 2 Summit

1November

2001

Thessaloniki Presiding City

Creative horizons

Dynamic regional centres

HESSALONIKI Resolution: International inter-municipal co-operation opens creative horizons and creates prospects, which, especially under the aegis of the European Union, bring significant benefits to our local communities. Inter-municipal co-operation developing in this sensitive, yet creative, region of the Balkans, at a time of globalisation, speed and communication among major cities, was founded at our first meeting last year. During our meeting we are establishing Balkan Cities Network, a Balkan Network of Major Cities, so as to achieve our common goals: to promote our role as dynamic regional centres. to reinforce the role and effectiveness of Local Government. to develop relations of friendship and co-operation, which will contribute to the development of our cities and the prosperity of our citizens. to create an international city network that will cultivate a spirit of solidarity and mutual support among bodies, citizens and, of course, Municipalities.

THE PRINCIPLE OF THE OPERATION The basic principle that should rule the operation of our network is the principle of subsidiarity and proximity. It is commonly accepted that only when citizens and collective bodies participate in the benefits and results of social as well as economic and developmental interventions will the vision of reconstruction and renaissance of a whole region that has suffered such a long period of tension and divisions become a reality. GUIDING AXES OF NETWORK ACTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2002 1ST AXIS: EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES The valorisation of Programmes prepared and co-funded by the European Union for the promotion of development in the broader region of the Balkans. Our first priority is the establishment of a network of Twin Cities and the submission of proposals to the European Union for the funding of initiatives that we are setting en route. 2nd AXIS: CO-OPERATION IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR Fundamental for the co-operation of major Balkan cities is the manufacturing sector and its bodies, people who express the local economy and development. In order to set en route a comprehensive framework of specific actions for the manufacturing bodies of our cities, a Synod of Chambers of the Major Balkan Cities will be held next September, in the year 2002, during the International Trade Fair of Thessaloniki. 3rd AXIS: INTERNATIONAL INTER-BALKAN UNIVERSITY Most of our cities have significant and active university communities with competent and eminent academic tutors. We propose the establishment of an International Inter-Balkan University with the co-operation of the Universities of our cities through funding by the Stability Pact. In the initial stage we are examining the possibility of establishing a Virtual Institute, aiming at the dissemination of knowledge to students by using modern technologies, the Internet and Informatics.

4th AXIS: CULTURE – SPORTS – EDUCATION - YOUTH In order to activate the creative forces, culture, sports, education and the young people, we will set en route common festivals, competitions and championships with set awards for the winners to be presented at our 3rd meeting next year. Our aim is to make the Balkans an area of creativity and noble competition and to valorise and promote the Cultural Olympics and the Olympic Cease-fire. 5th AXIS: NEW TECHNOLOGIES In order to establish better communication among our cities, we will promote new technologies so that we can upgrade services provided and safeguard the preparation of cooperation programmes. Our aspiration is to implement e-government in our Municipalities and our Network and to create a database with information concerning the cities, structures and actions of our Network. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE NETWORK In order to implement this programme, we are creating those sound and functional structures that will allow us to be effective, to turn our vision and objectives into praxis. Our organisational structure should safeguard representation, functionality and equal participation for all cities in the instruments and decision- making centres as well as actions. Especially after the initial period of operation of our instruments, we will examine the possibility of expanding the number of the members of our Network. The instruments of our Network are: The Council of Mayors, which is the highest instrument of the Network and meets regularly every year in the presiding city. The Presiding City, the Mayor of which is the leader of the Network. In 2002 the Presiding City will be Sofia, in 2003 Skopje and in 2004 Pireaus.

The Executive Secretariat, comprising the President of the previous term, the President of the current term, and the President of the following term. The Executive Secretariat supervises the Services of our Network, which will inform the Municipalities – Members on the progress of our activities via the Internet and through the publication of a Newsletter. The Services of the Executive Secretariat will have their headquarters in Thessaloniki, which is fully connected with the Services of the European Union. The cost of premises, equipment and operation of the Services of our Network will be undertaken by the Municipality of Thessaloniki. The Thematic Committees comprise delegates of the cities and will develop specific actions in the various fields. First among them will be Urban Infrastructure, Economic Development, Transportation, New Technologies, Culture, Sports, Education, the Environment, etc. The delegates of the cities in these Committees will be appointed within the next semester and will undertake, under the chairmanship of the delegation of the Presiding City, the processing of proposals submitted during our 2nd meeting. Friendship is our means and our goal is the development and prosperity of our local societies. Today we are laying the foundations of an edifice of friendship, co-operation and development. These are sound foundations ruled by the principles of honesty, respect, equality and solidarity. They are ruled by vision and determination. With this Declaration of Principles as our Cornerstone, with the Action Plan we are adopting and the Organisational Structure we are creating, we can achieve our common objectives. Peace, friendship and stability presuppose co-operation, reconstruction and development and the local communities of big cities become pioneers in this effort.

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2-3 December

Sofia

2002

New Technologies

Presiding City

OFIA Declaration: We, the Mayors of major Balkan cities: Realising that reinforcing Local Authorities largely contributes to the creation of a European Union governed by the principles of Subsidiarity and decentralisation. Recognising the importance of trans-border, intermunicipal co-operation in safeguarding stability and economic development for the Balkan region Agree to co-operate in order to achieve the following common goals: Further enhancement of the role of major cities as dynamic urban centres for the development of the region. Development and implementation of economic decentralisation policy to enhance the role and effectiveness of local authorities. Direct access of local authorities to the European Union and other financing sources. Development of friendship and co-operation schemes that will contribute to the development of cities and prosperity of their citizens in the region. Integration of the activities of already existing networks and organisations founded and operating under the auspices of the Council of Europe as well as other European and international organisations. Exchange of information and know-how as well as solutions to common problems. Further development and enlargement of the 5 Guideline Action Axes for the year 2003.

Inter-Balkan University

1st Axis: European programmes Exchanging information and experiences drawn from participating in the European Union. Drafting and submission of common programmes on issues of common interest to the European authorities.

2nd Axis: Reinforcement of Local Authorities Exchanging information on the current situation of local authorities in the region, especially in the field of economic decentralisation; shaping and claiming common positions and proposals by central governments and European institutions.

3rd Axis: Co-operation in the field of development Promoting economic development of the region. Economic stability is the main prerequisite condition for democratic and peaceful development through exchanging information, cooperation in the sectors of Exhibitions or other actions in the region, co-operation schemes with Chambers, Associations, etc. Actions: Dispatching information on forthcoming events and actions

THROUGH this BALCINET publication, the Municipality of Thessaloniki inaugurates its collaboration with the Balkan Press Center, an institution founded by the journalists of Northern Greece, with the following aims: To conduct cultural, educational and socioeconomic studies pertaining to the press and media in the national and the wider Balkan region. To award prizes to literary works which refer to the promotion of Balkan collaboration, or refer to the cultural, educational and social nature of the press.

up to the end of December 2003. Identifying interested partners up to the end of January 2003. Carrying out a programme of joint initiatives with partners concerned up to February 2003.

4th Axis: Youth, Tourism, Culture, Sports, Education Foundation of an International Inter-Balkan University Further development of existing co-operation scheme in these fields through exchanges; hosting joint cultural, sports and other events and common cultural heritage. Actions: Collecting information on current actions in these fields. Identifying interested partners Creating a programme of joint actions with interested partners Organising a Youth Parliament with representatives Organising a contest on the strategic development of the Balkans.

5th Axis: New Technologies Upgrading communication among the cities of our region as well as communication through new technologies. Using egovernment at a local level. Co-operating with the network

To bestow financial support and scholarships for the promotion of research and studies related to the institution’s aims. To strengthen research and academic cooperation among similar institutions in Greece, the Balkans, the European Union and abroad. To establish international journalists’ networks and databases for the purpose of safeguarding and supporting the profession of journalism. To set terms and prerequisites for the advancement of European cultures in the Balkan Peninsula.

of Central Associations of Municipalities and Communities of S.E. Europe in the field of Information Technology. Actions: Holding an international Congress on the use of new technologies at a local level. The organisation and operation of our network will be based on the principles of equal participation and representation for all the members of the network. Today, we decide to hold a long-term campaign to promote the principles of democratic Local Authorities and the crucial role they play in safeguarding social, economic and political stability in the region and we reassert the principle provided by the Chapter on Local Authorities of the Council of Europe and by article 21 of the Declaration of Human Rights, according to which the will of the citizens is the foundation of power and authority. Taking into consideration that decentralisation limits congestion of the centre and accelerates governmental actions, thus activating local initiatives, identifying financial resources for local authorities should reasonably meet the objectives set by the authorities themselves. Realising that United Europe is a Europe of Regions and Local Authorities, the major cities of the region will promote cooperation to safeguard economic stability, which will form the basis for political security in the Balkan region.

To create a databank related to the EU’s foreign, cultural and economic policy on the Balkans and the Black Sea countries. If you’re interested in these aims, you may contact: Balkan Press Center 5 Stratigou Kallari Street 546 22 Thessaloniki GR Tel.: +302310 270 826 +30 2310 243 575 Fax: +302310 220 348 Contact: Anna Famellos, International Relations Officer e-mail: bcp@esiemth.gr