Transfrontier cooperation
Municipality of Svishtov develops active international work. The town of Svishtov is chosen to be a center of one of he Euro regions between Republic of Bulgaria and Republic of Romania. The town of Svishtov has concluded agreements for mutual cooperation with the town of Cavaion district Avinon, Republic of France, the town of Zimnich and the town of Alexandria district Teleorman, Republic of Romania, the town of Ismailia, Arab Republic Egypt and the town of Gluhov - District Suma, Republic of Ukraine. Municipality of Svishtov is a member of the Congress of the local and regional governments in Europe at the Council of Europe.
As originator of the establishing of transfrontier "Dunav Yug" Euroregion Svishtov Municipality has turned into a leader of the onset transfrontier cooperation on the Balkans.
On November 3, 2000 in the town of Svishtov a colloquium was held on "Transfrontier Euroregions between Bulgaria and Rumania" during which a Memorandum was signed regarding the founding of a transfrontier Euroregion between Bulgaria and Rumania. The colloquium took place with the support of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (Resolution 104, year 2000), Polish Know-How Fund, Mr. Lachezar Toshev - chairman of the Bulgarian delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (CUPA) and the Local Government Initiative of the American Agency for International Development.
On March 1, 2001 in the town of Alexandria, centre of Teleorman region, a Protocol was signed, whereby both parties definitely specified the name, membership and organizational structure of the Euroregion. According to this Protocol the name of the Euroregion shall be "Dunav Yug". Members of transfrontier "Dunav Yug" Euroregion on the part of Bulgaria are the municipalities of Svishtov, Nikopol and Belene, and on the part of Rumania - the municipalities of Zimnich and Alexandria, Roshiori de Vede and Turnu Magurele.
On August 2, 2001 in the town of Svishtov an Outline Agreement on Transfrontier Co-operation was signed between "Dunav Yug" Euroregion Association and Dunaria de Sud Association. The parties to this transfrontier co-operation on the Bulgarian part are the members of "Dunav Yug" Euroregion Association and on the Rumanian part -the members of Dunaria de Sud Association.
The main incentives for the concluding of this Agreement: o both parties are jointly implementing social and economic development programs in favor of the two countries through their own funding or through international institutions funding in compliance with the conventions signed; o both parties are improving the co-operation between local borderline authorities in the spirit of good neighborliness, free crossing of the borders idarity; o both parties are organizing and accomplishing transfrontier activities on a reciprocal basis; o both parties are solving common transfrontier problems and integrating the citizens on both sides of the border; o both parties are cultivating cultural, scientific and sports connections.
Governing Bodies - Council of the Euroregion, President and Vice-President; Executive Bodies -Secretariat, Technical Working Groups
The representatives of each party constitute the Euroregion's Council. It consists of 16 members: 8 members on the Bulgarian part and 8 members on the Rumanian part. The members of the Euroregion's Council are identified by the corresponding associations.
The Euroregion's Council shall be governed by a President and a Vice-President holding a one-year term on a rotational basis. The term begins on January 1st and end on December 31st of each year. The President and Vice-President shall be designated by each party and approved by the Euroregion's Council. The Council shall hold sessions twice a year or when necessary under host exchange on both the Bulgarian and Rumanian part. The first session shall be held in Bulgaria. It is summoned by the President of the Council or at the request of one quarter of its members. Summoning of the Euroregion's Council shall be announced in writing thirty days prior to session and the announcement shall specify the date, venue and agenda. The Euroregion's Council has the competence to make decisions provided three fourths of its members are present. Decisions are made by consensus by the members of the Euroregion's Council.
The Council of Europe has awarded the European Diploma to Svishtov Municipality as recognition of the efforts made for promoting the European ideals in transfrontier co-operation. The European Diploma was awarded at an official ceremony, which took place in Strasbourg on September 27, 2001 in the presence of 150 official guests and Mr. Stanislav Blagov, Mayor of Svishtov Municipality.