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A Meeting between ABC and the Mayor of Sofia

Mrs. Fandakova introduced the European Groupings for Territorial Cooperation






 
On 23 February 2011 at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a meeting was held between representatives of the Association of Balkan Chambers /ABC/ and the Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Mrs. Yordanka Fandakova. The occasion for the meeting was BCCI’s presidency of ABC and the General Meeting of the Association, which is starting today in Sofia.
Mrs. Fandakova introduced the participants to the work of the Municipality. She underlined the Municipality’s role in further promoting the development of the city and taking care of its citizens, as well as undertaking initiatives to expand European cooperation. The Mayor said that the business is Municipality’s most important partner in these two areas and expressed her gratitude towards organizations like the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their successful cooperation. Mrs. Fandakova invited all good Balkan investors to invest in Sofia.
Another main goal of Sofia Municipality is to become a regional center for debates on the Balkans and as such to establish ties with the neighbouring states and their capital cities. More particularly the Municipality would like to create a European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) as an instrument which would facilitate cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation. The EGTC will enable regional and local authorities from the different member states to cooperate more effectively, for example by allowing them to apply directly for EU funding and to manage this funding.
An EGTC must include partners from at least two EU member states, among which regional or local authorities, central governments, public bodies and associations. In response to a question by the representative of the Serbia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Fandakova explained that partners from third countries may also participate in an EGTC, provided that the legislation of their country or agreements between their country and the member states allow it. 
BCCI President and current President of the Association of Balkan Chambers, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov encouraged his ABC colleagues to inform the relevant authorities of their countries about Mrs. Fandakova’s cooperation proposal.
The General Meeting of the Association of Balkan Chambers will continue on 24 February with a morning meeting dedicated to cross-border and regional cooperation, investments in the region and promoting female entrepreneurship. 

23.02.2011

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