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ANNOUNCEMENT www.balkansblackseaforum.org Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org THE AIM

The Balkans & the Black Sea region holds major importance for the South Eastern European stability and development. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Middle East and Central Asia, this region is part of a critical eco-system which requires multilevel approach for gaining mutual understanding and cross-border cooperation.

The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum© aims to bring forward the latest updates of best practices, business models, creative tools and fresh ideas, enhancing its stakeholders with all possible areas of sustainable Stability | Growth |Cooperation

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org THE SCOPE

The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum© focuses on:

 Highlight cross-border cooperation  Enhance bilateral and multilateral relations  Strengthen and generate economic and business growth  Facilitate mutual understanding and sustainable development among the Balkan and Black Sea States.

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org HOSTING CITY

The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum© 2017 will be at , Central , on May 25th & 26th 2017 and should be held annually at a different location* in one of the 17 member states of the Region.

Every year the Forum will promote 2 honorary countries* of the Balkans and the Black Sea region. These countries will have the opportunity to bring forward special topics at the panels and to exhibit their cultural heritage adjacent to the venue of the event.

* Subject to the Scientific Committee advise and the Steering committee confirmation

About Serres (click here)

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org WHY SERRES

 On the crossroads of the region, Serres is easily accessed by car from most of the capitals of the area. Alternatively Serres is connected by air with all countries of the region via Thessaloniki International airport (1hrs drive).  Serres provides a wide range of hotels and infrastructures.  Land of Alexander the Great; the region of Serres offers visitors world famous sights and attractions, like Lake Kerkini, Prodromos Monastery, Amphipolis, Serres Ottoman monuments, Fort Roupel, Alistrati Cave, etc.  Serres Regional Administration, Serres Public and Private sectors are fully aligned to deliver an outstanding forum.

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org PROGRAMME

Wednesday May 24th 2017 17 participant countries

 Arrivals. Check-in. Registrations 2 honorary states

20.00-21.30 : welcome reception cocktail multi-level panels at the Region of Serres Headquarters 7 42 international speakers

500 delegates

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org PROGRAMME

Thursday May 25th 2017

09.00-09.45 : Registrations 14.10-15.10 : Session (III) Digital Economy & Innovation 10.00-10.30 : Welcome notes, EU and Black Sea Officials 15.10-15.20 : Discussion - QAs 10.30-11.30 : Session (I) EU, Balkans, Black Sea 15.20-16.20 : Session (IV) Women in leadership perspectives: SDSs 2030 16.20-16.30 : Discussion - QAs 11.30-11.45 : Discussion - QAs 16.30-16.40 : Break 11.45-12.00 : Break 16.40-17.40 : Session (V) Agriculture & Environment 12.00-13.00 : Session (II) Roads of Energy 17.40-17.50 : Discussion 13.00-13.10 : Discussion - QAs 17.50-18.00 : Conclusions of the day 13.10-14.10 : Honorary Country-A, welcome lunch reception 20.30-24.00 : Official dinner at Domaine Nerantzi hosted by the Governor of Serres Mr. Moisiadis

Forum official language is English. Simultaneous translation in Greek and Russian

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org PROGRAMME

Friday May 26th 2017

09.00-09.15 : Welcome notes by State Officials 12.15-13.30 : Honorary Country-B, welcome lunch reception 09.15-10.15 : Session (VI) Maritime, Infrastructures, 13.30-18.30 : Visit Serres by Geo Routes Cultural Journeys Transportation, & Hubs 4 experiential routes at the Region of Serres 10.15-10.30 : Discussion - QAs 20.30-24.00 : Farewell traditional dinner at the village of 10.30-11.30 : Session (VII) Cultural & Sustainable Tourism Agio Pneuma (Holy Spirit) 11.30-11.40 : Discussion – QAs 11.40-12.00 : Conclusions of the day Saturday May 27th 2017 12.00-12.15 : Forum Declaration | MOU signing Check-out and departures End of conference sessions or at leisure extensions to enjoy Serres

Forum official language is English. Simultaneous translation in Greek and Russian

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org 2017 HEADLINE “Cultural Tourism | a key to Sustainable Development” aligned with UN resolution (A/C.2/70/L.5/Rev.1 of 4/12/2015) that has adopted 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. TOPICS 1. EU, Balkans, Black Sea perspectives: Sustainable Development Goals 2030 2. Roads of Energy 3. Digital Economy & Innovation 4. Women in leadership 5. Agriculture & Environment 6. Maritime, Transportation, Infrastructures & Hubs 7. Cultural & Sustainable Tourism

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org PARTICIPANTS Participants to the Forum shall be Executives and Officials from EU, the Balkans and the Black Sea Bodies and Institutions, Officials from International organizations, public officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and academia from various countries.

Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum© is organized by Geo Routes Cultural Institute in cooperation with the Regional Unit of Serres and will be under the Auspices, the Support and the strategic cooperation of many International, European and Black Sea Organizations.

BALKANS & BLACK SEA FORUM STATES Albania - Armenia - Azerbaijan - Bosnia/Herzegovina - Bulgaria - Croatia - FYROM - Georgia - Greece (2017 hosting country) - Moldova - Montenegro - Romania - Russian Federation - Serbia - Slovenia - Turkey (Jan 2017 Presidency BSEC ) – Ukraine (July 2017 Presidency BSEC ).

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org WHY ATTEND

Officials, Executives, cabinet Ministers, prominent business and financial leaders are invited to take part in a constructive dialogue aiming to improve the bilateral and multilateral relations, the cross-border economic cooperation and sustainable development between the Balkans and Black Sea States.

 Listen to first class speakers on challenges and opportunities in the Balkans and Black Sea region.  Gain knowledge on how the region is planning to future proof its economy, institutional strengthening and rule of law.  Sharpen the Saw and meet experts and influencers face to face. Full access to the Forum, offered only to the delegates of the event.

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org ORGANIZATION

The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum© shall host 500 VIPS, Officials, speakers and delegates. Organizational structure set as follows:

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

STEERING SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE COMMITTEE

DIPLOMATIC AGENDA & MARKETING VENUE STAFFING ACCOUNTING & HOSPITALITY AFFAIRS SPEAKERS COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org VENUE Serres Municipal Theater “Asteria”

The 500 seats conference center Asteria will host the plenary sessions in theater setup. In the city center, it is adjacent to the Cultural zone where the branded kiosks of the Honorary Countries will be located and 100m to the Business HUB where Organizations and Sponsors will be promoted. Both the Cultural zone and the Business HUB will be open to public.

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org BUSINESS HUB

Serres Eleftherias Square

The 1.000 square meters Eleftherias Square is located 100m from the conference center and 30m from the entrance of the Cultural zone where the branded kiosks of the Honorary Countries will be found.

The Business HUB, at the heart of the city, serves as exhibition zone for Sponsors and Organizations, also as center to the promotion of all kinds of intra & inter business relations.

Both the Cultural zone and the Business HUB will be open to public.

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org SERRES SOCIAL PROGRAMS

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Prodromos Monastery Lake Kerkini & Fort Roupel and Serres Town 5hrs tour to the premier 4hrs cultural-religious tour, Natura 2000 birding site in highlighting the Ottoman era Greece. See also Fort Roupel, and the beauties of Serres famous for the defense and the 12th AD Prodromos against German invasion in Monastery Greece on April 1941

Amfipolis & Alistrati Cave Secrets of Nigrita 5hrs historic-speleological 5hrs heritage tour to Nigrita; tour to Amfipolis, the land of famous for its donkey milk Alexander the Grea. Visit to and the spirulina super food the Cave of Alistrati with its production. Visit also the numerous and shelter of Nigrita Mountai- stalagmites neering Club at Mt Sourpa

Upon registration delegates are offered to choose a complimentary participation to one of the above routes

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org REGISTRATION All prices are in EURO and inclusive 24% VAT

Before 1/2/2017- 1/5/2017- Registration fees 31/1/2017 30/4/2017 on site Delegates 300 400 500 Students 150 200 300 Registration fee includes: General Conditions:

Admission to all sessions, Business HUB and the Honorary countries zone Registrations should be free of charges Registrations are not transferable and no refunds Admission to the official dinner (students excluded) for cancelled registrations are accepted Admission to the Farewell traditional dinner On site registrations and those settled by credit  card, are subject to an administration fee of 25€ per Participation to a cultural heritage journey “Visit Serres” delegate Refreshments and luncheons upon conference breaks Reduced registrations valid only if they will be paid Shuttle bus from the hotels to the conference venue (1 round-trip per day) within the timelines mentioned above  Students’ reduced fees require a valid academic ID Forums’ catalogue, programme and agenda and a student enrolment document Conference bag and material Up-front information to your mail about travelling and the destination Payment methods a) On line: through the official website of the forum www.balkansblackseaforum.org b) Bank transfers at Geo Routes Cultural Institute | Alpha Bank, IBAN. GR4601401960196002101093240

Online Registrations click here HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Elpida Resort (4**sup) Philippos Xenia (4**sup) Forum Official hotel offering Forum Official hotel providing Spa, Beauty center, Bar, In & Spa, Restaurant, Bar, Health Outdoor Pools, Restaurant, center, Meeting facilities, Meeting rooms. The rooms Indoor Pool. Its rooms offer offer Mini bar, Safe-box, free free Wi-Fi, Air-Conditioning, Wi-Fi, Plasma TV, Air-Cond. Mini bar, Safe-box, Plasma TV and Bath amenities. (1,5km and Bath amenities (400m to to the Conference center) the Conference) Elpida City (3**sup) Siris Hotel (4**sup) Elpida offers a Restaurant, Siris offers a Restaurant, Bar, Gym, Sauna, Bar, Meeting Outdoor Pool, Meeting rooms, rooms. Its rooms offer Air- play ground. Its rooms provide Conditioning, Mini bar, free free Wi-Fi, Air-Conditioning, Mini Wi-Fi, Plasma TV and Bath bar, Safe-box, TV and Bath amenities. (150m to the amenities. (7km to the Conference center) conference center)

Online Bookings click here HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Acropol (4**) Hotel Galaxy (2**) Acropol offers a Restaurant, Located in the very city center Spa, Bar, Wellness center, Galaxy offers Breakfast room, Meeting facilities, Indoor & Room Service, Reception and Outdoor Pools. Its rooms Bar. Its rooms offer free Wi-Fi offer Air-Conditioning, Mini and TV. (only 30m walk to the bar, free Wi-Fi, Plasma TV Conference Center) and in-Bath hydro-massage (5km to the conference center)

Online Bookings click here CONTACT

For information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact: T. +30 2102845980 [email protected]

co-organizers

Stability | Growth | Cooperation www.balkansblackseaforum.org