Signing of the Letter of intent – 5.10.2011

On 5 October 2011, in Jelenia Góra, marshal, Rafał Jurkowlaniec, together with representatives from Czech regions signed the Letter of intent for the creation of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation in Lower Silesia. EGTC will comprise a platform for cooperation between the most important actors on Lower Silesia-Czech border area.

This new form of cooperation is significant in view of the financial perspective 2014-2020 and the funds which EGTC may apply for. It is also a chance for Poland and Czech Republic to achieve a common position on the most important aspects connected with the border area (communication, tourism and cultural heritage).

Apart from Lower Silesia province, EGTC will comprise the bordering Czech regions: Hradec Kralove region, Pardubice Region, Olomouc region, Liberec region and Polish and Czech parts of Nysa and Glacensis Euroregions. The Grouping may accept new partners if other co-organisers agree. A region that is interested in joining EGTC is Saxony.

The seminar led by a member of the province board, Jerzy Łużniak, was attended by 200 people including representatives from regional governments and social and cultural institutions. Among the people who appeared at the meeting on European Territorial Cooperation were not only Lower Silesia province marshal and four Czech presidents of Liberec, Pardubice, Olomouc and Hradec Kralove region, but also Polish and Czech authorities of Nysa and Glacensis Euroregions, Lower Silesia governor, representatives of the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Wrocław and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Poland as well as delegates from the Czech border areas.

During the event, selected projects carried out as part of the Operational Programme for Cross-border Cooperation: Czech Republic – Republic of Poland, 2007-2013 were presented in the Philharmonic hall of Lower Silesia.