Timisoara Declaration
On Cross-border Regional Cooperation
in South-Eastern Europe

The 19th Conference "Europe of Regions" was held at Timisoara, September 14-16, 2001. It was convened by the International Scientific Conference Minorities for Europe of Tomorrow - ISCOMET, the Folmer Wisti Foundation for International Understanding, the Timis County Council, the Municipality of Timisoara, the Danish Cultural Institute, Copenhagen, and the European Centre for Ethnic, Regional and Sociological Studies of the University of Maribor - ECERS. The conference was held under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Walter Schwimmer, and the patronage of the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) of the Council of Europe, Mr. Llibert Cuatrecasas. More than 100 experts, representatives of national, regional and local authorities, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and members of minority groups participated in the conference.

The participants of the conference,
Bearing in mind the specific importance of South-Eastern Europe for the stability and security of Europe as a whole, the rich ethnic and religious diversity of this region and the richness of its shared cultural heritage,
Acknowledging the existing cross-border regional cooperation initiatives both at the level of local and regional authorities and at the level of civil society, such as the Euroregions Danube-Kris-Mures-Tisa and Danube-Sava-Drava,
Supporting the endeavours for increasing cooperation between the above-mentioned Euroregions and for including the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this cooperation,
Recognising the endeavours of major European and international organisations concerning stability, cooperation and development of the region (Stability Pact, EU special programs, etc.), and
Acknowledging the importance of cross-border cooperation, as a manifestation of the principle of subsidiarity, for the stability, democratisation and development of the region and for its gradual inclusion into European structures,
Taking into account the valuable experiences of the Nordic/Baltic countries in cross-border cooperation, particularly with regard to human rights, democracy, interethnic relations and cultural heritage,

have adopted the following recommendations:

1. It is necessary to create adequate political, legal and other conditions for free movement of persons and goods within the region, removing administrative and other obstacles, providing adequate infrastructures and establishing new border crossings etc.
2. Governments and other authorities are urged to give better recognition to the role of NGOs in the development of cross-border cooperation. Citizens and their associations and organisations should be encouraged and supported to become involved in cross-border cooperation including regional NGO networks.
3. The states concerned as well as regional and local authorities, where they have such competence, should adopt or harmonise relevant legal provisions and conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements in order to create the necessary conditions for the development of cross-border regional cooperation.
4. The countries of the region that have not yet done so should acceed to the international treaties concerning cross-border cooperation and local self-government adopted within the Council of Europe and harmonise domestic legal provisions and other measures with their international obligations in this field.
5. Local and regional democratic government should be based on the active participation of the citizens in the decision-making process including cross-border regional cooperation. Local and regional authorities should be provided with the necessary competence and capabilities in order to promote and sustain cross-border cooperation.
6. Ethnic and religious communities should be indispensable actors in cross-border regional cooperation. It is necessary to use the framework of cross-border regional cooperation in implementing mechanisms for the protection of human rights and minorities. The experiences of the commissioner for human rights and democratisation of the Baltic Sea State Council should be taken into consideration regarding the South-Eastern European region.
7. It is necessary to promote various policies of multilingual and multicultural education in order to further the knowledge and acceptance of ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. The role of regional mass media should be underlined.
8. It is commendable to stimulate the dialogue between the different churches and religious communities in the region and their contribution to reconciliation, respect of others' opinions, human rights and democracy in the region.
9. Support should be given to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage as a main element of the multicultural character of society and the region and as a major contribution to the European cultural heritage and to the activities of relevant institutions and organisations in the field.
10. It is necessary to improve the efficiency of the Stability Pact especially in the framework of Working Tables I and II dealing with human rights, democracy and good governance, and with economic cooperation and development, respectively. The cultural dimension should be included into the Stability Pact.
11. The European Union should make further efforts to make the existing policies regarding the region (Stabilisation and Association Process, CARDS programs etc.) more efficient, especially by strengthening coordination regarding the implementation of its policies in the region. In addition it is necessary not only to execute the existing instruments (INTERREG-C program etc.), but also to adopt other appropriate measures preventing new divisions of the region along the Schengen borders.

The participants and in particular ISCOMET and other conveners of the conference have expressed their willingness to take part in activities for the implementation of this declaration and in supporting state, regional and local authorities and other institutions and organisations in carrying out cross-border cooperation in the region.

Timisoara, September 16, 2001