"THE CHALLENGES OF THE FINNISH PRESIDENCY - THE INTERSTATE AND INTERREGIONAL COLLABORATION OF THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS OF THE NORTH AEGEAN REGION"

"THE CHALLENGES OF THE FINNISH PRESIDENCY - THE INTERSTATE AND INTERREGIONAL COLLABORATION OF THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS OF THE NORTH AEGEAN REGION"

14th - 16th July 2006
Mytilini, Lesvos Region

The European Organisation for Strategic Planning in collaboration with the Prefecture of Lesvos, the embassy of Finland and the Finnish Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, organised from 14th to 16th July in Mytilini, a conference with subject:
"THE CHALLENGES OF THE FINNISH PRESIDENCY - THE INTERSTATE AND INTERREGIONAL COLLABORATION OF THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS OF THE NORTH AEGEAN REGION"
With the opportunity of the assumption of the European Union presidency by Finland, collaboration issues were discussed, as much between the countries as between the Local Self-government Organisations of the countries of the European Union.

Program:
Friday 14th July 2006

17:30 - 18:00 Participants' Registration
Coordinators
Ms. Nia Koborozou - President of the Regional Press Journalists
Mr. Periklis Tserdanis - Vice-mayor of Mytilini
Mr. Ioannis Athineos - Vice-president of the Chamber of Lesvos

18:30 - 19:30 Opening of Proceedings - Officials' Greetings
Mr. Pavlos Vogiatzis - Prefect of Lesvos
Mr. Ares Chatzikomninos - Mayor of Mytilini
Mr. Giannakis Skordis - Vice-president of EOSP, Mayor of Ammochostos
Mr. Sergios Tsiftis - General Secretary of North Aegean Region
Mr. Konstantinos Fragopoulos - President of the Local Union of Municipalities & Communities (TEDK) of Mytilini, Mayor of Loutropolis Thermi
Mr. Georgios Orfanos - President of Chamber of Lesvos
Members of Parliament Lesvos Region

19:30-20:00 Introduction: Finland "11 years in the European Union": The Presidency in the 2nd semester of 2006 and the Hellenic-Finnish Relations
Mr. Ole Norrback - Ambassador of Finland

2nd day
Saturday 15th July 2006

9:30 - 10:00 Participants' Arrival
Coordinators
Mr. Efstathios Papachristopoulos - Member of the Board of Directors of EOSP, Chemical Engineer
Mr. Georgios Seretis - Director of Regional Development EOSP
Mr. Georgios Vatis - President of the Prefectural Council of Lesvos
Mr. Vasilios Mouzalas - Vice-mayor of Mytilini

10:00 - 10:30
Introduction: "The economic and commercial relations between Greece and Finland"
Mr. Sotiris Kareas - Member of the Board of Directors of the Finnish Hellenic Chamber of Commerce

10:30 - 11:00
Introduction: "Collaboration of Self-government Organisations of EU Countries and Third Countries"
Mrs. Viktoria Zold - Nagy - Department of Local Authorities Relations Ministry of Interior, Hungary

11:00 - 12:00
Introduction: "Initiatives for the enhancement of the Cross-border - Intergovernmental and Interregional collaboration of Local Self-government Organisations in the North Aegean Region"
Mr. Borg Josef - Vice President of Local Authorities of Malta, B' Vice-president of EOSP
Dr. Marina Moula - Civil Engineer

12:00 - 13:00 Introduction: "The role of regional and local authorities and of educational institutions in the protection of the environment and the Sustainable Development"
Mr. Dimitrios Lagos - Professor of the University of the Aegean
Mr. Spyros Galinos - Vice-prefect of Lesvos

13:00 - 13:30 Introduction: "Local Development and models of cooperation with the Self-government Organisations"
Mr. Giorgos Danopoulos - Legal Advisor of Hellenic Agency of Local Development and Local Government (EETAA), Collaborator of the Ministry of Economy & Finances

13:30 - 14:00 Introduction: "Hellenic Finnish Partnership for the economic penetration in the Balkans and East Europe"
Mr. Georgios Livanios - President of the Finnish Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Georgios Orfanos - President of the Chamber of Lesvos

14:00 Closure of proceedings

Round Table
CHAMBER OF LESVOS - FINNISH HELLENIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Conference Room of the Chamber of Lesvos
Saturday 19:00: Perspectives of Hellenic Finnish collaboration
a) Food and Beverages
b) Alternative Forms of Tourism

3rd day
Sunday 16th July 2006
Visit / Guided tour at Molyvos

Parallel with the Two-day Conference an Exhibition for the Local Art & Culture will take place in the Exhibition area (ground level) of the Chamber