After years of frontier zone co-operation concept isolation due to lacking governmental interest to invest into peripheral regions the idea is presently enjoying a reinforced justification. These regions are in fact problem laden areas, owing to ethnically mixed population and historical context. The Slovak-Polish "Competition - a challenge or a threat?" conference confirmed an increased interest in closer relations. It took place on 26 February and was jointly organised by the Regional Chamber of the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RK SOPK) in Zilina and the Bielsko-Biala Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Attended by over 100 participants, the conference outcome was a common view that creation of material, financial, social and legal presumptions for an effective frontier zone co-operation is invitable.

"Polish foreign policy favours the grass roots initiative in establishing co-operating Eruoregions. Strengthning of the frontier zone relations corresponds with our efforts in bringing the Polish-Slovak relations to a higher standard. Yet this calls for a more intensive communication on all levels. One of the hot examples is the regional policy co-ordination across the Polish and Slovak frontier zones and establishment of the Beskids Euroregion."

"The administrative region of Zilina has a vast potential to contribute to the frontier zone co-operation, encompassing industry, trade and tourism. Equally significant is also the eagerness to start off this co-operation, based not only on geographical vicinity, but also tradition. There were times when both countries were oriented to western markets, Yet presently they realised that their neighbours and past co-operation experience are too beneficial to be wasted. But this implies introduction of better legislative top facilitate material and human transfer".

"The Euroregion concept is a positive proof of the Polish/Slovak co-operation. Its contribution to the growing economic potential and initiation of activities at the level of general public, business, state administration and local government is difficult to appraise."

"Separate agreement between the SR and PR governments on borderland co-operation reflects the attempts on both sides to create suitable conditions for development among regions, counties, districts, townships and villages. It emphasises the significance of personal contacts among residents and local communities and institutions of both countries in the process of bringing together the two countries and establishment of friendly relations."

"At the core of the frontier zone development strategy are activities lifting the regional isolation, i.e. extension of foreign and frontier zone co-operation, economic restructuring, improvement of basic infrastructure, ecological improvements, incorporation of the developmental tourism into the economic mainstream of the region, and human potential development to the present personal challenge. Geographic location of the Zilina administrative region along the Polish border creates presumptions for international co-operation in all areas. The directions and forms of our co-operation are aiming to accelerate the economy, attract foreign investors, and protect environment. The administrative region of Zilina is extremely interested in growing frontier zone co-operation with Poland. We support institutionalisation of the frontier zone co-operation among communities across the border as one of the main components of European integration."

Not only cultural heritage, but also state borders decide on European status. The World War II peace settlement defined new trends with respect to the border lines: limiting barriers to a minimum and creating integrated environment with free movement, education and employment. This is the principal idea of our struggle in bridging the state Polish-Slovak border in name of co-operation, good neighbour relations and other relevant benefits."

"Schedule for the Beskids Euroregion institutionalisation is not wasting any time: the draft statutes will be issued in March for commenting by both parties. The founding team will meet by 15 June to elect a temporary board, followed by the court registration within the next few weeks, as the first step towards its real existence. The permanent Euroregional bodies will be elected by September, and the representatives of interested towns and villages will convene."

Slovak Trade FORUM