CO-OPERATION PROGRAMME

FOR THE YEARS 2004 - 2005

IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN 

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

AND THE GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS 

SIGNED IN BRATISLAVA ON MAY 30, 2002

CO-OPERATION PROGRAMME

FOR THE YEARS 2004 - 2005

IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN 

THE GOVERNMENT OF FLANDERS 

AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

SIGNED IN BRATISLAVA ON MAY 30, 2002

In implementation of the Co-operation Agreement between the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of Flanders signed in Bratislava on May 30, 2002 both Parties have agreed upon the following Co-operation Programme for the period 2004-2005 elaborated during the first meeting of the Joint Commission Slovak Republic - Flanders held in Brussels from 07 till 08 June 2004.

PART 1.
ECONOMY

Article 1.1.
In general

1.	Both parties agree upon the importance of long-term economic relations, based on the co-operation in different fields.

2.	The co-operation shall be concretised by the exchange of knowledge and experience on the economic and regional development policy and on the use of modern management techniques.

3.	Both parties shall send documentation and information concerning the subjects mentioned above.

4.	Both parties shall investigate the possibility of exchanging experts in the economic fields to be determined by common agreement.

Article 1.2.	
Specific actions 
Economic, industrial and regional policies

1.	At the request of the other party, both parties shall exchange information and experiences on economic, industrial, regional and regional development policies.
Particular attention shall be paid to co-operation between the regions and also together with third regions in the corresponding EU programmes (Structural Funds, Interreg).

2.	Both parties shall exchange a delegation of officials of the administrations (Economy, Regional Policy) in the fields of economy and regional policy with the aim of exchanging information, experience and knowledge concerning the following subjects:
-	sustainable industrial development;
-	structural funds.

3.	Both parties shall alternately organise seminars on the above mentioned economic subjects.

In implementation of the Co-operation Agreement between the Government of Flanders and the Government of the Slovak Republic signed in Bratislava on May 30, 2002 both Parties have agreed upon the following Co-operation Programme for the period 2004-2005 elaborated during the first meeting of the Joint Commission Flanders - Slovak Republic held in Brussels from 07 till 08 June 2004.

PART 1.
ECONOMY

Article 1.1.
In general

1.	Both parties agree upon the importance of long-term economic relations, based on the co-operation in different fields.

2.	The co-operation shall be concretised by the exchange of knowledge and experience on the economic and regional development policy and on the use of modern management techniques.

3.	Both parties shall send documentation and information concerning the subjects mentioned above.

4.	Both parties shall investigate the possibility of exchanging experts in the economic fields to be determined by common agreement.

Article 1.2.	
Specific actions 
Economic, industrial and regional policies

1.	At the request of the other party, both parties shall exchange information and experiences on economic, industrial, regional and regional development policies.
Particular attention shall be paid to co-operation between the regions and also together with third regions in the corresponding EU programmes (Structural Funds, Interreg).

2.	Both parties shall exchange a delegation of officials of the administrations (Economy, Regional Policy) in the fields of economy and regional policy with the aim of exchanging information, experience and knowledge concerning the following subjects:
-	sustainable industrial development;
-	structural funds.

3.	Both parties shall alternately organise seminars on the above mentioned economic subjects.

Article 1.3.
Specific actions 
Regional Development policy

1.	Both parties shall exchange experience, knowledge, documentation, work models and information on their activities in the field of regional development. The Flemish party shall put its experience in the field of Flemish sub-regional economic policy and the Strategic Urban Economy Plan at the disposal of the Slovak party. Notably, the  Flemish party shall present the ideas regarding regionalisation to the Slovak partners, especially the practical evolution in :
-	Flemish legislation on regional policy and its compatibility with European legislation;
-	financing sources for regional support.

2.	Both parties shall include the issue of special economic areas (i.a. industrial zones) in their co-operation and they shall exchange their experience about this.

Article 1.4.
Specific actions 
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

1.	Both parties shall stress the importance of developing their co-operation concerning SMEs. and shall encourage the development of direct contacts between Slovak and Flemish SMEs.  Interested SMEs can contact the competent administration for further information with regard to this.

2.	Enterprise coaching programme: parenthood projects.

Both parties shall exchange experience and knowledge in the field of parenthood projects.

Parenthood projects aim at professionalizing small enterprises and enhancing networking between enterprises.

The strategy consists in setting up fixed groups of small enterprise managers with one or two counsellors to exchange experiences on a monthly basis during one or two years. The counsellors are executives from large companies or experienced self-employed persons who are gladly willing to put their experience at the disposal of other entrepreneurs. 

PART 2.
FOREIGN TRADE

Both Parties shall organise economic seminars and economic missions, as the occasion arises.

The Flemish Party is prepared, at the request of the other Party, to exchange information regarding technological sectors and investigate the possibilities for co-operation in this field.

The Flemish Party examines the possibility to appoint a permanent representative in Bratislava, in order to promote commerce between both parties.
At the moment, the Flemish Economic Representative in Prague, is responsible for both the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Slovak Party can benefit from the services offered by the Flemish Party, for example when exchanging information concerning business opportunities and investments.

Both Parties shall exchange ad hoc and at the request of the other Party information regarding their respective markets and sectors and their experiences and knowledge regarding the promotion of international enterprise

PART 3.
AGRICULTURE

Article 3.1.

1.	The Flemish Party shall provide Flemish expertise in the follow-up of the Slovak rural development programme and operational programme (Guidance section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund - EAGGF) within the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development which will enter into effect.
2.	The Flemish Party shall also examine the possibility to assist the Slovak Party through targeted projects or exchange in the further development and realisation of its rural and agricultural programmes within the framework of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.

Article 3.2.

The Flemish Party shall, within its budgetary possibilities, put at the disposal of the Slovak Party its knowledge and experience in the field of the production, processing and marketing of fruit and vegetables in accordance with the European regulations. The Flemish Party shall also provide the opportunity to exchange its knowledge and experience concerning the establishment and operation of producer organisations.

Article 3.3.

The Flemish Party shall, among other things, in co-operation with the practical training centres, provide the opportunity to train or further train local practical work teachers in giving after-school training and refresher training with main focus on sustainable agriculture.

Important components of training may be:
-	management training depending on the crops and the region;
-	sustainable farming techniques, organic farming;
-	training in practical techniques: masonry, welding, maintenance of farm machinery and small repairs, claw nursing, milk hygiene, etc.;
-	technical training: tillage, ploughing, manuring, sowing techniques, animal feed, etc.;
-	other areas of mutual interest and know-how.

Article 3.4.

The Flemish Party shall, within its budgetary possibilities, put at the disposal of the Slovak Party, its knowledge and experience and offer the possibility for expert exchanges in the field of the Farm Accounting Data Network (FADN).

PART 4.
ENVIRONMENT

Both Parties are, depending on possibilities of financing, prepared to collaborate on the following items in the field of environment:

1.	The Water division of the Flemish Ministry of Environment is prepared to give advice concerning the following subjects:
-	groundwater monitoring (e.g. nitrate directive, daughter directive groundwater);
-	groundwater modelling, for example the Flemish Groundwater Model (VGM);
-	surface water modelling;
-	drinking water policy;
-	planning : 	a) development of basin management plans;
b) public participation;
-	data management (Database Subsoil Flanders (DOV)). 

2.	The VLM, Support Centre GIS-Flanders and the Ministry of Environment are willing to make new contacts with administrations and scientific institutes of Slovakia in order to develop co-operation programmes in one or more of the following study areas related to the use of GIS and Remote Sensing, for example for:
-	landscape ecology and landscape planning;
-	development of agro-environmental indicators based on land use as assessment of rural landscape changes in context of agricultural policy in general;
-	the development of a digital land Cover Map;
-	the construction of a Database for a Forest Inventory;
-	the development of a Change Detection System for the Monitoring of Deforestation;
-	decision support system for flooding risk assessment and analysis;
-	the development of geo-portal sites on the internet to consult environmental and geographical information.

3.	The cell EIA is prepared to organise two working visits focusing on information exchange, discussions and mutual capacity building in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment. 
The visits should contain:
-	contacts and meetings with environmental and planning authorities;

-	contacts and meetings with proponents;
-	contacts with environmental assessment experts (consultants, civil servants);
-	visits on site.

4.	The Flemish Party (OVAM) is prepared to invite during the validity of this action programme a team of five (5) Slovakian experts (fluent English required) in the fields of waste management and soil decontamination, water supply and quality for five (5) days in order to exchange knowledge and establish contacts with the Flemish actors.

5.	The Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering of the Flemish University of Brussels (VUB) wants to co-operate with Slovak partners in the field of the EU 5th framework project: “The Tisza River Project”. 

PART 5.
INFRASTRUCTURE

Article 5.1.
Road Traffic and Transport in General

The Flemish Party is willing to receive two (2) delegations of five (5) to seven (7) experts for a period of five (5) days in order to give, in function of the interesting points, information, formation and documentation (including on-the-spot inspections on different locations) on:

-	traffic plans with loops and small buses, one-way-traffic;
-	mobility plans and mobility agreements;
-	the creation and the functioning of a Flemish Traffic Centre; traffic management by the federal police (for example block driving and a road side emergency telephone network);
-	the drawing and interpretation of multimodal traffic models;
-	variable message signing and traffic monitoring, moveable road information devices, the co-ordination of traffic lights control, priority measures for public transport in road traffic (traffic lights influencing);
-	the development of an internet site on road construction works and traffic regulations;
-	the development of an intranet and CD-ROM applications about road signalisation at road works areas (markings, signalisation);
-	reduction of traffic jams and safety measures because of road works on motorways;
-	information about GIS (Geographic Information System), the organisation of traffic census inquiries and traffic measurements, the application of digital image processing (video cameras) for traffic management; RDS-TMS systems; in-car telematics;
-	information about projects on controlled access, the introduction of an alternative merging system to join the traffic on traffic lanes, the construction of roundabouts and speed reducing designs, measures on carpooling, the construction of cycle tracks and footpaths, the construction of car parks;
-	cycle tracks management;
-	pedestrian track management;
-	facilities for disabled people;
-	road safety measures in school areas;
-	information about road safety in general: traffic safety and communication with road users, road safety education in schools, road users awareness rising and main research methods;
-	public private partnership (PPP);
-	the cleaning and maintenance of roads; system of road management;
-	surface friction testing on road markings by the methods SRT and Grip Tester;
-	the organisation of activities and principles in cases of emergency works needed;
-	a temporary (during peak hours) overtaking prohibition for trucks on certain motorways;
-	noise reduction barriers on motorways.

At the request of the Slovak Party, the Flemish Party is willing to assist them in providing expertise within the following fields and under conditions to be agreed upon later:
-	safety audits of existing roads, as well as of project audits, collecting data about road accidents and setting a data base including the required activities for analysing the causes of road accidents;
-	introduction of technical safety measures on urban and non-urban roads;
-	organisation of a technical specialised visit (training) for three (3) experts in the field of implementation and deployment of newest technologies for traffic management in Flanders ( ITS in road management, multimodal information centre and video processing techniques) for employees of the Ministry of Transport of Slovakia Republic – Directorate for Roads;
-	providing expertise on the preparation of law on road safety and the road safety programme with a view to the year 2005 ( the harmonisation of the Slovakia law concerning the regulation of the public road transport, related to the E.U. requirements);
-	co-operation in the area of road safety communication and sharing of information methodology,  expertise and in co-operation on road safety education and research planning;
-	in connection with the utilisation of the public urban and interurban transport, the following expertise can be put at the disposal:
-	data communication between vehicles and the fixed installation as a combination between radio, GPS and devaluation systems;
-	the integrated exploitation and information systems with, in the near future, travel information derived from those systems will be available on the Internet;
-	the construction of intermodal transfer points for the multimodal usage of bus  and railway stations and for P/R.

Article 5.2.
Waterways and Maritime Affairs

Both Parties shall exchange information and experiences in one or more of the themes listed below:

a)	Inland port infrastructure, management and policy
-	design and construction of inland port infrastructure;
-	renovation of port infrastructure (design and execution);
-	dredging works;
-	regulations for the handling of hazardous goods in port areas;
-	regulations for inland navigation.
b)	Waterways
-	design and execution of hydraulic-engineering works;
-	water control and fight against flooding;
-	re-use of building materials for hydraulic-engineering works;
-	maintenance of waterways.
c)	New techniques
-	development of environmental engineering banks;
-	development of a Hydro-Meteo System;
-	dredging, processing and storing of polluted dredged materials;
-	development of a River Information System (RIS).
d)	Scientific co-operation
The Division of the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory and Hydrological Research of the Ministry of the Flemish Community shall establish new contacts with administrations and scientific institutions of the Slovak Republic to set up co-operation programmes in one or more of the following areas of study:
-	hydraulic and hydrological studies by means of physical and mathematical modelling;
-	port engineering and planning and dredging works;
-	environmental studies with regard to environmentally friendly engineering structures along waterways;
-	training by means of navigation simulator and tow tank.

PART 6.
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL WELFARE

Article 6.1. 
Health care

Both parties will support exchange of information and experience in the fields of health promotion, prevention of diseases and organisation of health care.
The exchanges can bear on the following policy aspects:
-	prevention of oncogenous breast disease (i.a. organisation of efficient screening breast cancer);
-	prevention of cardiovascular disease;
-	prevention of suicide and depression;
-	monitoring of public health in relation to the health determinants (especially influence of chemical, physical and biological factors);
-	prevention of problematic use of alcohol and drugs;
-	fighting sexually transmittable diseases (i.a. HIV);
-	developing home health care; 
-	building local health networks and centres for mental health care;
-	quality control in health care facilities;
-	integrated social welfare and health care for pensioners, elderly and long time handicapped people, with an emphasis on home care and social participation, particularly rest homes and nursing homes;
-	development of long term care;
-	health information system.

Article 6.2.
Welfare

Both parties shall exchange information, documentation and experience in the fields of welfare and social services, especially in the fields of:

-	general welfare policy, in particular scientific research, the quality system, inspection and monitoring, client consultation, co-operation between the public and the private sectors on the regional and local levels;
-	social cohesion, in particular community development work, preventive social policy, integration of migrants in society, anti-poverty and social inclusion policies and children's rights;
-	general welfare work, in particular multifunctional care units, crisis care and urgent shelter, care and shelter for the homeless, care and shelter for mentally and physically abused women, forensic care, help for victims and victim support;
-	family help and home care;
-	integrated social welfare and health care for the elderly, senior citizens and handicapped people, with an emphasis on home care and social participation;
-	elderly and senior citizens care, particularly in rest homes, nursing homes, and apartments for the elderly;
-	child and youth care particularly in youth protection, special youth assistance, residential, semi-residential and ambulatory care, mediation and conciliation;
-	comprehensive and preventive youth welfare policy and integrated youth care
-	voluntary work.

PART 7.
EMPLOYMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The Flemish Service for Employment and Vocational Training (VDAB) is prepared to investigate all questions raised by the Slovakian party in the fields of labour market issues, guidance and training and possibly to propose a form of co-operation.
Since Slovakia has become a member state of the European Union, organisations from the country can now also act as partners in the transnational projects and networks of the VDAB.

Article 7.1.

Both Parties shall continue to co-operate in the field of labour market and employment policy and promote contacts in this field between the competent bodies and the social partners.

Article 7.2.

1.	The Flemish Party (Employment Administration) shall invite a delegation of three (3) experts to exchange information and experience regarding employment policy, vocational training and social dialogue in 2004. 
2.	The Flemish Party shall act as a mediator for possible co-operation with all partners and networks active in the fields of vocational training, the labour market and employment policy.
3.	The Flemish Party shall put its expertise at the disposal of the Slovak Party for setting up structures to support and work with the European Social Fund (ESF).
4.	Both Parties shall, at the request of the other Party, exchange information about their labour market policies and vocational training. 

Article 7.3.

Both Parties shall examine the modalities of a joint action with third countries within the framework of international organisations.

PART 8.
CO-OPERATION WITH REGARD TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Article 8.1.

Both Parties shall promote co-operation in the policy field of home affairs referring to local governments, the administration of cities and municipalities and intermunicipal co-operation. They shall foster mutual contacts between these local governments.

Article 8.2.

1.	The Slovak Party shall facilitate contacts through the Office of Government, the Ministry for Regional Development and the Association of Towns and Municipalities in Slovakia..
2.	The Flemish Party shall foster contacts through the Administration of Home Affairs of Flanders which, when necessary, will call on the participation of the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities.

PART 9.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

Both parties agree to enhance the co-operation between their knowledge institutes in the context of the European Research Area. Specific attention will be given to the exchange of researchers, joint project-based co-operation under the European Framework Programme, and co-operation in the field of the popularisation of science, technology and innovation.

PART 10.
CULTURE

Article 10.1.

Both Parties shall exchange, if requested, information and publications regarding visual arts, design, architecture, museums, cultural heritage, popular culture, literature, translations, performing arts, music, artists' accommodations, amateur arts, socio-cultural work for adults, libraries, cultural centres, local cultural policy, festivals and competitions with an international dimension, including information and documentation regarding cultural co-operation in general.
Article 10.2.
Literature

The Flemish Party shall receive one (1) translator from the Slovak Republic at the Vertalershuis in Louvain for a period of one (1) month during the validity of the present programme. Contrary to the usual financial arrangement when receiving individuals, this translator shall be offered free accommodation as well as a subsidy amounting to EUR 1,000.00.

The Flemish Party wishes to draw the attention of the Slovakian Party to the possibility for foreign writers to apply for a residence in one of the two writers residences in Flanders (Brussels and Vollezele) coordinated by the literature organisation ‘Het Beschrijf’ (www.residencesinflanders.be).

Article 10.3.
Performing arts

During the validity of the present programme, the Flemish Party is interested in sending a small dance group of maximum six (6) persons to the Slovak Republic for a period of five (5) days at most.  The modalities will be agreed upon in due time and according to the financial possibilities of both Parties.  
During the validity of the present programme both Parties shall exchange one (1) expert from the theatre and dance sectors for a period of three (3) days at most. 

Article 10.4.
Music

During the validity of the present programme, the Flemish Party is interested to send a small music ensemble (trio or quartet) for a concert tour of maximum five (5) days. The modalities will be convened upon in due time and according to the financial possibilities of both parties. 
Both Parties shall send two (2) experts in the field of music for a maximum of five (5) days during the validity of the present programme. 

Article 10.5.
Visual Arts 

Both Parties are willing to exchange two (2) experts in visual arts, and architecture for a period of five (5) days each.

At the request of the Slovak Party the Flemish Party shall receive one (1) graphic designer for a period of fourteen (14) days at the Frans Masereel Centre in Kasterlee. He/she shall be offered free accommodation as well as a daily allowance of EUR 50.00.

The Flemish Party wishes to receive information concerning artists’ accommodations in Slovakia.

Article 10.6.
Cultural Heritage

Both parties are willing to exchange four (4) experts in the field of cultural heritage, - tangible and intangible-, (e.g. museums, folk culture) to analyse the possibilities to develop joint projects (e.g. in the field of the digitising of cultural heritage).
In the framework of the UNESCO convention of October 17th 2003, both parties will study the possibilities to develop joint projects regarding, amongst other things, the inventarisation and the preservation of the immaterial heritage in Slovakia and in Flanders. In a first phase experiences and know-how can be exchanged between the Flemish department of Culture and the Slovakian Cultural Heritage General Department.

Article 10.7.
Libraries

The Flemish Party proposes to develop, in mutual consultation, a training programme for experts in the public library, in view of supporting the promotion of expertise in the Slovak Republic. 
The Flemish Party shall, annually, receive one (1) expert for an apprenticeship of four (4) days.  A good knowledge of French or English is required.
Annually, one (1) Flemish expert will go to Slovakia for four (4) days in order to organise a training programme.

Both parties commit themselves to sharing and promoting the “best practices” of both countries.

Article 10.8.
Audiovisual and cinematographic activities

The Flemish party (Media and Film division) proposes the following:
-	exchange of information concerning amongst others: tax shelter, subvention policy, film and audiovisual festivals, at the request of the other party;
-	the Flemish party informs the Slovak party about the existence of the International Press Centre Flanders (a professional meeting platform for the media, the communication sector, the authorities, businessmen and the private sector in Flanders), which is in charge of  information and guidance of journalists (Grote Markt 40, 2000 Antwerpen, tel. + 32(0)3-225 15 64, fax + 32 (0)3-232 21 30, e-mail: ipv@pandora.be, www.ipvlaanderen.be).

PART 11.
SOCIO-CULTURAL WORK FOR ADULTS

The Flemish Party proposes to work out, in mutual consultation, a training programme for those responsible for non-formal socio-cultural work for adults.

During the validity of the present programme the Flemish Party shall yearly receive a Slovak delegation of four (4) people for a specific training visit of ten (10) days.
Possible themes are: detecting needs in programmes of socio-cultural work for adults (gaining an insight in the needs of the learner or the potential learner), creating partnerships between the providers of adult education, improving the accessibility of the supply, migrant education, the role of support centres, volunteer work, etc.  A good knowledge of French or English is required.

In preparation of these training programmes, both parties shall first exchange a delegation of three (3) persons (including at least one (1) civil servant) for seven (7) days.

The  responsible service for the execution of this item is the Slovak ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family Policy.

PART 12.
TOURISM

1.	Both Parties shall promote the mutual exchange of information about legislation and regulations concerning tourism, statistical data, documentation and studies about tourism development.

2.	Both Parties shall promote the mutual exchange of tourism promotion material and the participation of different tourism organisations to tourist events both in Flanders and in the Slovak Republic.

3.	Both Parties shall encourage the organisation of study trips for journalists, radio and television reporters, researchers and experts in the field of tourism.

PART 13.
CAPACITY BUILDING

Article 13.1.
Scholarship for the College of Europe in Natolin

1.	The Flemish Party (Administration of Foreign Affairs of Flanders) shall provide a contribution of ten thousand euro (EUR 10,000) for a scholarship for a Slovak student to study at the College of Europe in Natolin (Warsaw) during the academic years 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006.
2.	The selection of the student will be done by the College of Europe in concert with the competent Slovak authorities (Office of the Government).

Article 13.2.
Port Management

The Flemish Party (Administration of Foreign Affairs of Flanders) shall offer the Slovak Party the possibility to send experts to seminars in the field of port management training organised by APEC (Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre vzw) in the course of 2004 and 2005.
The Slovak Party shall present its candidates for these seminars. The participants shall be selected by APEC. The Flemish Party shall cover the costs of the participation in these seminars. International travel expenses are to the account of the participant or the organisation to which he or she belongs.

PART 14.

CO-OPERATION THROUGH PROJECTS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE FLEMISH CO-OPERATION PROGRAMME 
WITH CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Article 14.1.
1. 	Both Parties shall continue their co-operation by means of projects in the course of the validity of this Co-operation Programme.
2. 	The project proposals are mutually evaluated whilst taking into account the following  priorities:
a) The priorities of the Flemish Party are: small and medium size enterprise development, employment, management of European funds for regional development and within the framework of agricultural policy, agriculture, regional development, the environment, ports, capacity building and the management and reform of public services.

b) The priorities of the Slovak Party are: strengthening the administrative and judicial capacity, management of European funds for regional development and within the framework of agricultural policy, combating corruption and economic crime, public finance reform, especially in health and pension system, regional development, the environment, and strengthening structural provisions in relation to the Roma Community and non-discriminative legislation.

Article 14.2.

The Flemish Party will inform the Slovak Party about the procedures and conditions for future projects immediately after the ministerial decision regarding the Flemish co-operation programme with Central and Eastern Europe has been taken.

All the proposals for 2004 have been evaluated by both Parties on the basis of their own criteria and procedures and both Parties established a ranking list.

For the year 2004, the following projects have been registered:

Project number	Name of the project	budget	Promoter	Slovak partner	
SLK/001/04	Sustainable development in Kosice region	17.751,00 EUR	GOM Vlaams Brabant	Spis Regional Development Agency	
SLK/002/04	Immune status in children	83.381,00 EUR	VITO	Slovak Medical University	
SLK/003/04	Training on doing business in an enlarged EU	63.354,68 EUR	VOKA - Kamer van Koophandel Limburg	Euro Info Centre Presov	
SLK/004/04	Regional Development Košice	167.330,00 EUR	E.C.D.C. vzw	Regional Chamber of Kosice	
SLK/005/04	Social entrepreneurship in Slovakia	170.000,00 EUR	Hoger Instituut voor de Arbeid (HIVA - K.U.Leuven)	Faculty Economics Mateja Bel University	
SLK/006/04	Agro-marketing in Slovakia	49.500,00 EUR	UG, Department Agricultural Economics	Slovak University Agriculture Nitra	
SLK/007/04	Health-care system for domiciliary NIV	25.834,00 EUR	UA, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen	Medical Faculty University Kosice	
SLK/008/04	Sustainable tourism in Slovakia	71.833,00 EUR	International Forum for Biophilosophy	Slovak Mining Museum	

Both Parties discussed about these projects and compared their ranking lists. Within the budgetary limits (for the Slovak Republic: 135,000.00 EUR), they agreed to propose the following projects for funding by the Flemish government:

Project number	Name of the project	Proposed budget	Flemish ranking	Slovak ranking	
SLK/008/04	Sustainable tourism in Slovakia	65,000.00 EUR	1	1	
SLK/001/04	Sustainable development in Kosice region	15,000.00 EUR	3	3	
SLK/005/04	Social entrepreneurship in Slovakia	55,000.00 EUR	2	7	

(Note: The budget reduction proposed for SLK/005/04 will be discussed with the promoter.  The Slovak Party suggests that the project should be complementary with a running Phare project on the same subject.)

PART 15.
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Article 15.1.
General Provisions

1. 	Both Parties shall send each other their proposals for the new co-operation programme at the latest six (6) weeks before the date foreseen for the meeting of the Joint Commission.
2. 	Both Parties shall provide to groups and people from the other Party the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and life in their country. They shall exchange people who speak English, French, German or the language of the host country within the framework of the present Co-operation Programme.

Article 15.2.
Exchange of persons

The short-term exchange of persons (for 30 days max. and at the invitation of the sending Party) as determined in the present programme shall be implemented according to the following criteria:
a)	The sending Party shall provide the receiving Party with the curriculum vitae, the invitation, goals and programmes as well as the dates of arrival and departure of the people concerned at least three (3) months in advance.
b)	The receiving Party shall confirm it is prepared to receive the people concerned six (6) weeks before departure. The time of departure shall be confirmed at least two (2) weeks on beforehand.

To be covered by the sending Party: 
-	return international travel expenses

To be covered by the receiving Party:

In Flanders:
-	accommodation and breakfast;
-	a fixed allowance of EUR 37.00 per day (excluding transport costs) or EUR 50.00 per day (including transport costs);
-	health insurance and third party insurance in accordance with Belgian legislation.

In the Slovak Republic : 
-	the precise conditions will be communicated through diplomatic channels.

Article 15.3.
Film

The sending Party shall cover:
-	costs of transport and insurance of the film.

Article 15.4.
Exhibitions

To be covered by the sending Party:
-	concept, elaboration, packing and centralisation of the exhibition;
-	transport of the exhibition to its first location and from the last exhibition location back to the country of origin or another country;
-	‘nail-to-nail’ insurance;
-	delivery of the material destined for the production of the catalogue;
-	international return travel expenses of one (1) expert, monitoring the exhibition and supervising the mounting and dismantling, as well as the packing and unpacking of the works.

To be covered by the receiving Party:
-	providing suitable exhibition room, in accordance with the security standards;
-	providing the necessary support staff for loading and unloading, packing and unpacking, mounting and dismantling the works;
-	printing catalogues (if agreed between both Parties), posters and invitations;
-	organising publicity campaigns, as well as the opening ceremony and the good accommodation of the exhibition;
-	accommodation expenses of one (1) expert, monitoring the exhibition and supervising the packing and unpacking of the works;
-	providing the sending Party with 25 free copies of all materials (such as catalogues, posters, invitations and press releases), published on the occasion of the exhibition;
-	in case of damage the receiving Party shall not proceed with the restoration of the works without the prior approval of the sending Party. 

PART 16.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 16.1.

1.	The provisions of the present Co-operation Programme do not preclude the possibility of implementing other activities, exchanges or projects that will be negotiated and agreed upon by the Parties through diplomatic channels. 
2.	Any disputes regarding the interpretation or implementation of the present Programme shall be solved through negotiation between the Parties through diplomatic channels.

Article 16.2.

1. 	The Co-operation Programme is subject to the internal procedures of each of the Parties.
2. 	The Co-operation Programme shall come into force on the day of the servicing of the last notification to the other Party. It will be valid till 31st December 2005.
3. 	The next meeting of the Joint Commission will be held in Bratislava in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Done in Brussels on June 08, 2004 in two original copies, each in the Slovak, Dutch and English languages, all three texts being equally authentic. In the event of different interpretation of the Co-operation Programme the English text shall prevail.

For the Slovak Party		For the Flemish Party

Ivan Fecenko	Diane Verstraeten

Done in Brussels on June 08, 2004 in two original copies, each in the Dutch, Slovak and English languages, all three texts being equally authentic. In the event of different interpretation of the Co-operation Programme the English text shall prevail.

For the Flemish Party	For the Slovak Party

Diane Verstraeten	Ivan Fecenko