EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Pawel Zaboklicki
EDITING & LAYOUT
Anna Dargiewicz
EDITORIAL BOARD
Viktors Buls
Ewa Kurjata
Anna Dargiewicz
Pawel Zaboklicki
PUBLISHER
Union of the Baltic Cities
Secretariat
Waly Jagiellonskie 1
PL-80853 Gdansk
POLAND
tel. +48 58 3010917
tel. +48 58 3019123 fax +48 58 3017637
e-mail: info@ubc.net
www.ubc.net
ISSN 1506-6266
PROOF-READING
Ewa Kurjata
COVER PICTURE
La Grand-Place
Brussels
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Dear UBC Friends,
The
UBC Antenna Office in Brussels is open. All members
now have a great opportunity to be heard and understood
during the EU decision-making processes. They can
speak through the UBC with one, and thus stronger
voice.
The goals of the UBC Representation
in Brussels are in compliance with the strategic objectives
of the Union. The office will concentrate its work
and efforts on strengthening the UBC s presence in
the European institutional dialogue and debate. Promoting
and lobbying the interests of the UBC member cities
and the whole region are the focal activities of the
Brussels' office.
To achieve these goals,
the UBC Antenna Office, hosted by the Stockholm Region
Office, provides numerous services. Administrative
support desk facilitates the practical functioning
with its working premises, Internet and contact list
databases in relation to thematic areas linked to
the UBC priorities. The Union and the Baltic Sea Region
will be promoted by disseminating the information
in the Internet and thematic newsletter and the communication
policy. Another important task is policy monitoring
and lobbying actions in collaboration with UBC representatives.
Additionally, events, meetings and seminars are to
be organised by the UBC Brussels' office. Last but
not least, assistance in EU-policy and monitoring
of EU-funding is provided in order to keep all UBC
members up-dated on relevant initiatives, programmes
and policies.
The Antenna Office is,
moreover, a working space for the UBC members and
can be used by each UBC city representatives when
staying in Brussels whenever needed.
Many of our cities are
already represented in Brussels directly or by the
regional offices. We hope for close cooperation with
them, exchange of experience and ideas. For those
members who do not have own representations, the UBC
Antenna Office will serve as a useful, and, hopefully,
effective device to influence even more effectively
the EU policies which have impact on local authorities.
This issue of Bulletin
provides numerous interesting articles describing
the work of cities' and regions' representations in
Brussels. The authors present the potential of their
EU offices, benefits and advantages but also challenges
that are connected with being represented in Brussels.
The Baltic Cities Bulletin additionally contains information
on current meetings, conferences and projects of the
UBC.
I hope that the idea of
being closer the European Union will soon bring many
tangible, positive results for all UBC members and
the Baltic Sea Region. The official opening of the
UBC Antenna Office will take place in December. The
representatives of member cities and European institutions
will be invited.
Dear UBC Friends, welcome
to Brussels!
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Per Bodker Andersen
President
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Kolding, 1 November 2006
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