July 2 2004
The Kosice Self-Governing Region (KSR) and Italian Umbria became the partner regions. Today the President of KSR Rudolf Bauer and the Head of the Commission for research, labour policy, school and social policy Professor Gaia Grossi, delegated by President Maria Rita Lorenzetti, signed in Perugia the Cooperation Agreement.
"For our region Umbria is a good partner region. They have valuable experience in the field of tourism development, what is very inspiring for us. We want to develop our cooperation by comparing regional development experience; we will cooperate on joint projects for getting the financial means from European Union Funds. What we also expect of our partnership is development of closer cooperation among small and medium enterprises. Umbria region has also serious experience in the use of alternative energy resources," said Rudolf Bauer.
According to the preamble of the agreement, its purpose is to support interregional and international cooperation in the uniting Europe with the aim to contribute to economic, social and cultural enhancement of both regions. KSR and Umbria want to create partnership of regions following the aim to establish economic, commercial, cultural and institutional relations providing mutual benefit for contracting parties.
The Kosice Self-Governing region and Umbria region will develop cooperation in particular in the field of development of economic sector and use of Structural funds, support of investment opportunities, development of agriculture and tourism. In the school system, research and culture the partners will support the establishment of direct relations between institutions and citizens of both regions. In the social sphere and health service their goal is to exchange experience in the transformation process of respective facilities with the aim to make their operation effective and to improve healt and social care. KSR and Umbria will also support mutual knowledge of regions, their historical and natural heritage.
Italian region Umbria has a population of 840,000 citizens and its territory extends 8 456 square kilometers. The Capital of Umbria is Perugia with 157 000 citizens. The economy of the region is made up of small-scale industries. At present there are over 77 000 businesses, 80% of which have only two employees. The unemployment rate in 2000 was of 6, 5 %.
Umbria has the highest density of cultural sights relative to population and territory in Italy. There are 50 museums and 150 art collections, 334 libraries, a rich network of historical archives and two universities.
Text: Sona Jakesova
Photo: Alena Vachnova
Slovenska verzia stranky