To Become Emerging Star in the Map of Europe Tourism – Was Reached
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ŠILUTĖ DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY IN THE EUROPE UNION COMMUNITY 2013 Vision of Šilutė District Local Authority – to become emerging star in the map of Europe tourism – was reached. Local Authority is known in Europe: for the active spread of Europe ideas, for the contribution to the important acts of Europe, for the acts of education institutions, cooperation with different Europe towns, their communities, participation in various international events, saving of historical heritage in Local Authority territory, exchanges of private organizations and institutions, for the implementation of Europe structural funds our Local Authority has been awarded the Diploma of the Council of Europe (2006), Flag of Honour (2009), and Plaque of Honour (2011). It is a big honour that our Local Authority has been awarded the “Auksinė krivūlė” by Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania and Ministries of republic of Lithuania: for the active creation of knowledge society (2005) and right changes in the heating sector (2012). Our Local Authority Nemunas Delta Regional Park has been approved like the most attractive tourism place in Europe in 2009; for the care of environment – Cleaning of the Šyša watercourse and oxbow in Šilutė town (2010) Šilutė Local Authority has been awarded the “Europe sail”. The members of local authorities have signed the ambitious Covenant of Mayors – official commitment to reduce CO2 emission by at least 20 percent by 2020, to enlarge energy using efficiency. In order to achieve this aim, Council of Silute Local Authority has prepared and implements Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP). Active expanding of rural tourism, it’s infrastructure, active cultural and educational institutions participation in different projects, positive possibilities to create and implement business, to attract investment funds. In the Šilute Local Authority territory were financed 45 projects, which common value was up to 260 mln. Lt. There was 16 tourism projects, which value was 42 mln. Lt and 3 projects related with environment. Life in Šilutė region, in the land of flood is dashing. Society of Šilutė region, institutions of culture and education, implement their activity programmes, join together congenial people in Lithuania and in foreign countries: agreements and letters of intent of cooperation with Republic of Lithuania Academy of Science, different Universities of Lithuania, long term experience with associations, people from Šilutė, who work and live in Lithuania and foreign countries, international partners. Implementation of different projects leads to cooperation, communication, and friendship in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Italy, and Lithuania. To organizing meetings with people from Šilute, come people from Lithuania, different Europe countries, Canada, USA, Australia and other overseas countries. There were more than 30 different international events, meetings, conferences during 2013, in which participated about thirty thousands citizens of Šilutė and it’s guests from Lithuania and other countries. We are glad for working and creating here in Šilutė region, where water and people create dashing life. People of Šilutė region meaningful and prominently reveal achievements and ideas of their region creative’s, promoters of culture and international partners also open secrets of ethnographic Minor Lithuania history; different projects are supported by Local Authority politics, businessman, society of Elderships, NGO’s, media. It helps to improve Local Authority infrastructure, to promote amateur arts, to implement projects of knowledge-based society, to increase availability of libraries and museums for the members of society, to inform ES and world about us. 2 MEMBERSHIP OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ORGANIZATIONS AND COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN MUNICIPALITIES Šilutė District Municipality is an active member of Lithuanian Municipalities Association (LSA) (since 1995.), which is a member of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR since 2001.), the United Towns Organization (UTO), the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) and is constantly collaborating with local government associations of neighboring countries, local authorities, non-governmental organizations. The Municipality is also a member of Euroregion Baltic (ERB) since 1998 and a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors (from 2009). Foreign partners of Šilutė district municipality 26 May 1991, a cooperation agreement between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Emmerich town of the German Federation was signed. By that agreement it was aimed to ensure the wellbeing of the inhabitants of the country, encourage fellowship between the people of the two towns and cooperate in the fields of culture, sports and agriculture as much as it is possible, as well as exchange of versatile information about operation of political and administrational bodies and other significant events. 28 September 1992, an agreement of friendship and cooperation was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Ljungby Municipality of Sweden. The aims of this agreement were to develop cooperation and exchange of experience in the fields of environmental protection, culture and sports, share experience and information about work and importance of municipalities in the society. 10 October 1992, a cooperation agreement between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Nakskov City of Denmark was signed. The aims of that agreement were to cooperate in solving the problems of economies of the towns, environmental protection, planning and construction works, education and culture, sports and entertainment as well as health protection and charity. 22 February 1998 in Malbork (Poland) Šilutė District Municipality (as a constituent of Klaipėda County Head Administration) signed a founding contract of Euroregion „Baltic“ Euroregion "Baltic" is a forum for regional and local politicians and officials, where they can exchange experiences and ideas, find common interests and join forces to work for society and sustainable socio-economic development benefit. Objectives: to raise welfare of Euroregion‘s population, develop mutual relations, strengthen the links between local communities, remove historical stereotypes, plan activities aimed at sustainable economic-social development of the parties, support actions that aim to initiate cooperation between regional and local authorities institutions. 3 2 April 1998, a Letter of Intent was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Warsaw-Bielany Municipality of Poland. The aims of the protocol were exchange of experience, representation of achievements in the fields of education, social care, health protection, culture and arts, sports and recreation, agriculture and environmental protection. 29 April 1998, a Letter of Intent was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Duma of Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation. The aims of the protocol were to stimulate cooperation in solving the issues in the fields of borderline and communication, environmental protection, culture and education, sports and recreation, social care and health protection as well as economic cooperation. 12 November 1998, an agreement concerning the principles of cooperation and fields of common activities was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and the Slavsk City Administration of the Russian Federation. The following general fields of activities were foreseen: preparation and implementation of general projects of environmental protection, creation of favorable economic climate for common projects between economical subjects of industry, trades, provision of services for economical subjects in Šilutė and Slavsk districts, continual exchange in the fields of culture, art, education, sports and youth politics, mutual support for the Russian Community in Šilutė district and Lithuanian Community in Slavsk district as well as other fields. 27 September 2001, an agreement of friendship and cooperation was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Ostruda Municipality of Poland. These were the aims of the agreement: to cooperate in solving issues of agriculture, environmental protection, planning and construction works, education and culture, sports, leisure and health protection. 29 May 2004, an agreement of friendship and cooperation was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Gdansk Pruszcz Municipality of Poland. The aims of this agreement were to develop economic and cultural activities of both municipalities following practice of international cooperation and to actively participate in various structures of the European Union. 28 May 2007, a Letter of Intent was signed between Šilutė District Municipality of the Republic of Lithuania and Gdansk Powiat (County) of Poland. Taking into account the strong, balanced and harmonious development of the two regions, the competitiveness and attractiveness of investing in the local and international markets and to create a positive image of the two districts, the parties agreed to pursue the following objectives: mutual consultation in the preparation and implementation of EU-funded projects, development and implementation of tourism products related to both regional cultural and natural heritage, design, of social, 4 professional, cultural,