*** * l * PACECOMÖ93696" л л COUNCIL * * CONSEIL OF EUROPE * * * DE L'EUROPE

Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire

Strasbourg, 3 April 1997 CONFIDENTIAL eproposi.97 AS/Loc (1997) 9

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, REGIONAL PLANNING AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Proposals for the 1997 Europe Prize, Plaque of Honour, Flag of Honour and European Diploma

Secretariat Memorandum - 2 -

I. THE 1997 EUROPE PRIZE

This year the Secretariat examined 26 applications from towns which have already been awarded the Plaque of Honour and are now competing for the Europe Prize.

Some of the towns competing in 1997 were awarded the Plaque of Honour only a short time ago: Mons, Marvejols, Dietzenbach, Melsungen, Schotten, Solingen, Rovigo, Czestochowa, Oxford and Cockermouth. The Secretariat therefore preferred not to include them in the selection list since not enough time had lapsed for it to be possible to judge what progress had been made.

Other municipalities were temporarily removed from the selection because their reports on the European activities in which they participated in 1996 were unexceptional. They include Beersei (B), Aisfeld (D), Briihl CD) and Verbania (I).

Amongst the countries which seem best placed to win this distinction are:

Belgium, with the town of OUDENAARDE, even though the 1996 activity report comprised nothing but press clippings, mostly in Flemish.

Germany, with the towns of REGENSBURG (Bavaria), REUTLINGEN (Baden- Württemberg), SPEYER (Rhineland-Palatinate), WETZLAR (Hesse).

Neither France nor Italy have as yet submitted applications comparable to those submitted by Germany.

A summary of the candidacies for the Europe Prize follows. - 3 -

A. Application of the town of OUDENAARDE (Flanders. Belgium)

OUDENAARDE 1991 COBURG (D) 1971 (30.000 hab) 1993 CASTEL MADAMA (I) 1986 (Randers) 1994 BERGEN OP ZOOM (ML) 1986 (50 km West of Brussels) 1996 ARRAS (F) 1990 1997 HASTINGS (GB)** 1990 BUZAU (Rou) 1990

Flag of Honour in 1991 Plaque of Honour in 1994

The first contacts go back to 1971. Twinning with Coburg in Germany was initiated by a group of reserve army officers. Very quickly, school contacts, contacts between official delegations, musical and sports associations followed which helped to forge close links between the two municipalities. It was not until 15 years later that Oudenaarde concluded another twinning arrangement with the Italian town of CASTEL MADAMA in 1986. A twinning arrangement with the Netherlands town of BERGEN OP ZOOM which, like it, specialised in weaving, was completed very quickly as no language barrier existed between theme. Twinning with ARRAS (F), the English town of HASTINGS and the Romanian town of BUZAU followed in 1990.

Its administration, local associations and schools actively co-operated with the Twinned Town Association (YZW) established by Oudenaarde to give substance to the process of European integration and particularly over the last three years. The Twinning Association which celebrated in 1995 its tenth anniversary, organises receptions, concerts and excursions. Its 250 members contributed to exchanges of more than 2.000 persons in 1993 between Oudenaarde and its twin towns. Thanks to the services of volunteers, it made also a substantial contribution to the aid programme for the twinned town of Buzau in Romania; it has undertaken these last years several health, economic and school programmes.

An Alderman responsible for European Affairs has been nominated in order to coordinate encounters that concern all levels of the population.

When reading the very detailed reports on twinnings, one can note that all twinned towns are concerned by the meetings.

In 1996 Oudenaarde celebrated several twinning anniversaries: the 25th anniversary with Coburg, the 10th with Bergen op Zoom and Castel Madama and the 5th with Hastings. Concerts, sports' meetings and theatrical shows were organised alongside the official events.

Oudenaarde has also stepped up its aid programme with the Romanian municipality of Buzau.

The award of the Europe Prize would certainly be a fitting reward for this municipality so committed to European activities and so active both in industry and commerce and considered as the second cultural centre of Flanders. It is unfortunate that the application dossier consisted only of press cuttings, without reports to back them up. - 4 -

B. Application of the town of REGENSBURG (Bavaria. Germany)

REGENSBURG 1984 ABERDEEN (GB) 1980 (Bavaria) 1985 BRIXEN (I)** 1969 1986 CLERMONT-FERRAND (F) 1969 1988 PILSEN (Cz. Rep.) 1993 1989 ODESSA (Ukraine) 1991 1990 to 1996 1997

Flag of honour in 1986 Plaque of honour in 1990

Regensburg is also twinned with the American town of Tempe, with which it has above all run school exchanges.

This historic city, with a population of some 130,000, has developed an impressive network of international exchanges and encounters, as demonstrated by the highly detailed reports sent very regularly to the Secretariat. Firstly, cultural events, many of them concerts given by foreign performers, conferences, art exhibitions and so on, are steadily increasing in number and often attract performers from twin towns (eg choirs and orchestras from Pilsen and Odessa). Of the sports events, the junior ice hockey tournament, first run in 1974, is one of the most representative; the 22nd tournament was held in 1995 in Regensburg and contested by teams from Finland, Russia, France, Italy and Belgium. In another initiative, the twin town of Brixen very kindly invited all the inhabitants of Regensburg to ski free of charge on its slopes for one day. Numerous sports associations help to ensure that twin town events run smoothly (football with Clermont-Ferrand, handball with Risen). School exchanges with Clermont-Ferrand, Aberdeen, Brixen, Pilsen and also with La Rochelle (F) have continued to run smoothly. Encounters funded by the city are prepared by supervisory staff for several days. Youth exchanges entailing holiday stays and spells of training with companies have been developed with Clermont-Ferrand in particular. At university level, Regensburg has signed twinning agreements with several universities, including Odessa, Lodz, Prague, Ljubljana, Novi Sad, Trieste and, very recently, Pilsen. When planning their courses, Regensburg's adult education centres and extra-curricular training office place great emphasis on the European dimension within their role of political education. They run lessons on the geography of neighbouring European countries and study trips, and also co-operate with bilateral friendship societies, such as the Dante-Aleghieri Germano-Italian Society of Regensburg. While 1994 provided the occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of twinning arrangements with Brixen and Clermont-Ferrand, 1995 was as much a cause for festivities, as Regensburg celebrated the 40th anniversary of its twinning with Aberdeea For several years, Regensburg has employed a manager for European affairs, who acts as an interface between the municipal authorities and European organisations, particularly the European Union.

In conclusion, an excellent candidate for the EUROPE PRIZE. - 5 -

C. Application of the town of REUTLINGEN (Baden-Württemberg. Germany)

REUTLINGEN 1981 to 1984 ROANNE (F)** 1958 (Baden-Württemberg) 1987 AARAU (CH) 1986 (96,000 inhabitants) 1989 ELLESMERE PORT and NESTON(GB) 1965 1991 to 1996 SZOLNOK (H) 1990 1997

Flag of Honour in 1985 Plaque of Honour in 1992

Reutlingen is also twinned with Duschanbe (Tadzhikistan) and Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire). Situated in the Swabian Jura, this former imperial city is today a world-renowned centre for industries, research institutes, higher education establishments and vocational training establishments. Its first twinning, with the French town of Roanne (Loire), dates back to 1958. While it may have been possible, not even 15 years after the end of the second world war, to be sceptical about the development of this relationship, the many school exchanges at first, and then the sports meetings organised by associations, youth visits and intensive contacts at all levels of the local and regional economy have made it an exemplary twinning, which was, moreover, rewarded with the award of the France-Germany Prize in 1975. In 1996, after 40 years of twinning with Roanne, it was calculated that through the school exchanges, nearly 10,000 young people from Roanne had been to Reutlingen. In 1965, Reutlingen decided to broaden its European contacts and twinned with the English town of Ellesmere Port and Neston. Extremely close links have been developed, mainly through school exchanges and musical and theatrical events organised by the schools of the two towns. Other events however, especially in the realm of sports, have made it possible to deepen the relationship. The twinning arrangement initiated with Bouaké in Côte d'Ivoire in 1970 is more difficult to develop because of the distance, but in 1995 Reutlingen financed two projets: installation of a water pump and a care centre. With Duschanbe (Tadzhikistan), exchanges are also infrequent but a recent visit by an important official delegation in 1996 was an opportunity to re-forge links. In 1986 Reutlingen decided to take another step forward by twinning with the Swiss town of Aarau. While school exchanges are again the driving force of the twinning, it is also being developed on the associative level through many cultural and sports events, as shown by the list of exchanges in 1995. Reutlingen turned towards the countries of eastern Europe in 1990 and solemnly invited all the twin towns to celebrate its twinning with the Hungarian town of Szolnok in June 1990. The list of exchanges, above all school but also cultural and sports events, and the celebration of the 5th anniversary of twinning which saw a delegation of 150 Reutlingen people travel to Szolnok, bear witness to the vitality of this twinning, which organised a large number of school, musical and vocational training exchanges in 1996.

Mainly school exchanges but the annual reports are very well documented and bear witness to the vitality of the different twinnings. To be considered for the PRIZE. - 6 -

D. Application of the town of SPEYER (Spire) (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)

SPEYER 1969 SFALDINO (GB)** 1956 (Rheinland-Pfalz) 1977 CHARTRES (F)** 1959 (44,000 inhabitants) 1983 to 1996 RAVENNA (I)** 1989 1997 GNIEZNO (Pol) 1992 KURSK (Russia) 1989 Flag of Honour in 1973 Plaque of Honour in 1992

Having first turned towards the west with two long-standing twinnings: Chartres (F) and Spalding (GB) and more recent one with Ravenna (I), Speyer decided to twin with the Russian town of Kursk and then in 1992 entered into a fifth twinning with Gnesen (Pol). As is attested by the different reports, Speyer has endeavoured in recent years to develop the links between the citizens, youth organisations, societies and associations of the twin towns. Apart from official delegations, there are visits of choirs, orchestras, associations and schoolchildren between Chartres and Speyer. The guests stay with families. Innumerable personal friendships have been formed over the years and there have already been several marriages between young people from Chartres and Speyer. The two towns have also organised exhibitions to get to know one another better. The first friendly relations with Spalding date back to 1956. Following the administrative reform in the United Kingdom, the twinning agreement was transferred to the District of South Holland. The relations between the two towns were given a new impetus in 1976. The high points of this relationship are the twinning anniversary celebrations such as those in 1991 marking 35 years of a twinning rich in exchanges. Speyer's contacts with Ravenna are mainly of a cultural nature. The agreement signed in 1991 between the mayors of the two towns provides for the organisation of a major cultural event in each town in alternate years. A similar agreement was signed with Chartres a few years ago. Thus a major exhibition on the mosaics of Ravenna was held in the autumn of 1991. Contacts with Kursk (former Soviet Union), are developing rapidly on all fronts: organisation of concerts, meetings between municipal officers and between entrepreneurs to develop economic relations, and participation in trade fairs. The difficult end-of-year economic situation of the people of Kursk gave rise to great demonstrations of solidarity among Speyer residents, with the dispatch of foodstuffs, medicines, etc. Cultural and school contacts have rapidly developed with the Polish town of Gniezno, and the "Polish Days" organised in Speyer in 1995 attracted 25 Poles making their first visit to Germany. Four friendship circles with the towns of Kursk, Ravenna, Gniezno and Chartres were created recently to increase the number of exchanges, and visits to each of the twin towns are organised every two years. The annual participation of each of them in the Speyer Christmas Market is also an event very popular with Speyer residents.

Speyer can be considered for the Europe Prize. One feels the willing of the mayors of each twinned town to develop the twinnings that concern the whole population. - 7 -

E. Application of the town of WETZLAR (Hesse. Germany)

WETZLAR 1965 BERLIN-NEUKÖLLN (D)** 1959 (Hesse) 1975 AVIGNON (F)** 1960 (50,000 inhab.) 1986 to 1996 COLCHESTER (GB) 1969 1997 SCHLADMING (A)** 1974 REITH/Kitzbühel (A) 1976 SIENA (I) 1987 ILLMENAU (ex-GDR) 1990

Flag of honour in 1964 Plaque of honour in 1990

This picturesque town in Hesse, once an imperial city and home to Goethe, underwent major industrial development at the end of the last century. It now has a population of some 50,000. Although the reports for 1986 and 1987 were still rather disappointing for a town with so many twinning arrangements, more recent reports indicate a great variety of exchanges with all its twin towns involving all layers of society. These exchanges are sustained and developed by the different associations based in Wetzlar, which cover each country concerned (eg Deutsch-Englische Gesellschaft Wetzlar). They act in the stead of the twinning committee, directly fostering cultural, economic and political exchanges between Wetzlar and its twin towns. To promote the language and culture of each twin town, these associations hold lectures, debates, concerts, exhibitions and trips to the twin town concerned. School twinning arrangements have also been concluded between Wetzlar and certain twin towns, and also in Hungary, the USA and Russia. In addition to school exchanges, there are also guest delegations at local festivals (carnival and wine festival in Wetzlar), music events, some featuring orchestras from several twin towns, sports events and above all the participation of sizeable delegations from each twin town in twinning anniversaries, which strengthen bonds of friendship. To encourage exchanges, the municipality of Wetzlar funds trips to the various twin towns. 1995 provided an occasion to celebrate the 35th anniversary of twinning between Wetzlar and Avignon in both towns, and the 5th anniversary of twinning with Illmenau was also celebrated in Illmenau. School exchanges were once again on the programme for Wetzlar's exchanges with its twin towns in 1996. But this year was also an opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the twinning with Garbenheim, at present attached to Wetzlar, and the Austrian town of Reith. More than 400 people celebrated this event in October. Other international meetings were held in 1996 : the celebration of 5th May, a meeting of young people from all of Wetzlar's twin towns to take part in the study days for young people devoted this year to the environment, and the Europe Festival organised every year by the Wetzlar Cultural Institute. In 1997, the town will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its twinning with Sienna, with exhibitions and concerts.

The most recent reports, which are very well set out, reflect enthusiasm, shown not only by the mayor and municipal councillors but also by the entire population, for twinning arrangements and everything they stand for. To be envisaged for the Europe Prize among the German candidates. It should be noted that Berlin-Neukölln and Avignon are both Europe Prize winners but that exchanges have been developed especially with Avignon, Colchester and Sienna. - 8 -

II. PROPOSALS FOR THE PLAQUE OF HONOUR

The Secretariat received 50-odd applications for the Plaque of Honour this year. Summaries of these candidacies may be found in document AS/Loc (1997) 8.

Here too, as with the Europe Prize, the Secretariat has set aside those applications which are too recent, and proposes examining the reports of the following towns:

1. FRANCE

CABOURG (Calvados), which was awarded the Flag of Honour in 1986. Cabourg is proud of the numerous twinning arrangements it has developed throughout Europe, with a contact person responsible for each. (See AS/Loc (1997) 8 page 8)

2. GERMANY

BACKNANG (Baden-Württemberg), which was awarded the Flag of Honour in 1981. With a population of 30,000, this town has essentially developed school exchanges with Annonay (F) and a system of study bursaries, set up over 20 years ago, which works very well. Backnang would like to receive the Plaque of Honour in 1997 to marie the 30th anniversary of its twinning with Annonay. (See AS/Loc (1997) 8, page 18)

GRÜNBERG (Hesse), which, with the support of its mayor and its twinning committee, submits excellent activity reports every year to the Secretariat In 1997, Grimberg will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of its twinning with Condom (F), which has been awarded the Flag of Honour. (See AS/Loc (1997) 8, page 26)

VIERSEN (North-Rhine-Westphalia), which was awarded the Flag of Honour relatively recently (1992), but which regularly sends well-documented reports to the Secretariat, and organises four or five meetings on average every month with its different twin towns. (See AS/Loc (1997 8, page 52)

3. ITALY

SARSINA (prov. di Forli), which was awarded the Flag of Honour in 1987. This small town of 4,000 inhabitants has been twinned for many years with Lezoux (F) and Lopik (NL), and more recently with Grebenstein (D). (See AS/Loc (1997) 8, page 59)

4. POLAND

It is perhaps too early to consider the application of

SLUPSK (northern Poland). This town has a population of over 100,000 and was awarded the Flag of Honour as recently as 1994. Officially it is not twinned with any foreign town, but it has developed a series of international contacts and signed со-operaüon agreements with Flensburg (D), Vanta (Fin), Carlisle (GB) and Vordingbord (DK). Numerous projects are still on the drawing board, and the town's eagerness to look to other European countries and participate in joint projects with towns with which it has friendly contacts is evident. (See AS/Loc (1997) 8, page 66) - 9 -

5. UNITED KINGDOM

BRISTOL. This city of over 400,000 inhabitants had not been in touch with the Secretariat since it was awarded the Flag of Honour in 1987. It is now preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its twinning with Bordeaux and Hanover and organising a series of events. The Plaque of Honour would lend additional lustre to the ceremonies. (See AS/Loc (1997) 8, page 69)

In short, 6 or 7 Plaques of Honour could be awarded:

CABOURG (France) BACKNANG (Germany) GRÜNBERG (Germany) VIERSEN (Germany) SARSINA (Italy) SLUPSK (Poland) BRISTOL (United Kingdom)

III. FLAGS OF HONOUR AND EUROPEAN DIPLOMAS FOR 1997

While most of the applications received came from France, Germany and Italy, it is interesting to note that Poland is increasingly present, with seven applications this year, while Hungary has entered two applications, one of which is strongly supported by all its twin towns.

1. AUSTRIA

Six candidacies, including one new one and one which was renewed in 1997.

ST GEORGEN AM WALDE (Upper Austria), which could have been considered for the Flag of Honour this year, has not renewed its application, which virtually rules it out.

The European Diploma could be awarded to the town of GURK (Carinthia, pop. 1,400), which has developed no twinning arrangements but is in regular contact with the towns of Hallein in Austria and Mosonmagyarovar in Hungary. It organises lectures and exhibitions to promote the European idea, particularly in schools.

European Diploma: GURK (Kämten)

2. FINLAND

Only one candidacy: Kotka. The European Diploma could be awarded to KOTKA, a port on the Baltic Sea which has developed nine twinning arrangements. The city with which it has most contact is Tallinn in Estonia. Its twin town Gdynia, in Poland, has already been awarded the Flag of Honour, and Kotka has in fact applied for the Flag of Honour to be awarded to it on the occasion of the Maritime Festival- to be held next July.

European Diploma: KOTKA - 10 -

(Flags of Honour - continued)

3. FRANCE

34 candidacies, eleven of which were renewed.

It is proposed to award the Flag of Honour, as a matter of priority to the following towns:

BLAYE (Gironde), which has mainly developed its twinning arrangement with the Spanish town of TARREGA, which was awarded the Flag of Honour in 1995. It would also help to encourage a town situated in a region which rarely applies for the Europe Prize.

DREUX (Eure et Loir), which has developed four twinning arrangements, including one with Todi (I), which has already received the Flag of Honour, and one with Melsungen (D), which was awarded the Plaque of Honour last year. Dreux will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of its twinning with Evesham this year, and would like to be awarded the Flag of Honour on this occasion.

VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY (Yvelines), which has been applying since 1993. Its most successful twinning arrangement is with Flag of Honour holder Dietzenbach (D), with a programme of annual meetings very well organised by the Maison de l'Europe in Vélizy.

The Flag of Honour could perhaps be awarded to:

CRAN-GEVRIER (Haute-Savoie), which has been twinned with the Italian town of Piossasco since 1991. Piossasco applied for the Flag of Honour until 1993, but has not renewed its application since. It would perhaps be advisable to contact Piossasco with a view to awarding both towns the Flag of Honour next year, since Piossasco might object to us awarding it to Cran- Gevrier this year when both towns have equal merit.

The following towns could be selected for the European Diploma:

AHUILLE (Mayenne) MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX (Yvelines) VILLEMOMBLE (Seine-Saint-Denis) (possibly the Hag of Honour since the 1996 activity report was particularly good)

Summary:

Flag of Honour European Diploma

Blaye (Gironde) Ahuille (Mayenne) Dreux (Eure-et-Loir) Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Yvelines) Velizy-Villacoublay (Yvelines) Villemomble (Seine-Saint-Denis) and possibly: Cran-Gevrier (Haute-Savoie) - 11 - (Rags of Honour - continued)

4. GERMANY

88 candidacies, 36 of which were new or renewed in 1997.

The Flag of Honour should be awarded as a matter of priority, to the following towns:

FRANKENBERG (Eder) (Hesse), which has applied regularly since 1993 and organises about 20 meetings on average with its four twin towns.

FURTH I. WALD (Bavaria), which for a number of years has been organising youth seminars to which it also invites its twin towns. Its twinning with the Czech town of Domazlice in 1990 was one of the first between a Bavarian town and a Czech town. In 1997, Furth will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its twinning with Ludres and would like to be awarded the Flag of Honour on this occasion.

NEUSS (North Rhine-Westphalia) has a twinning arrangement with Chalons-en- champagne, based mainly on school exchanges, and relations of a more humanitarian nature with Pskow and Rijeka, based on ad hoc initiatives organised by Neuss. Neuss would like to receive the Flag of Honour on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its twinning agreement next June.

SCHWARZENBRUCK (Bavaria), which brought together all its twin towns in 1996 for a celebration. Although the twinning agreements are relatively recent, the twinning committee actively encourages meetings and exchanges.

TUTTLINGEN (Baden-Württemberg), in addition to its two official twinning arrangements with Bex (CH) and Draguignan (F), has developed contacts with the towns of Tychy (PL) and Szentes (H). It hopes to be awarded the Flag of Honour to celebrate the town's 1200th anniversary this year. Another potential candidate for the Flag of Honour is:

WETTENBERG (Hesse), which has developed a variety of contacts with Sorgues (F) and the Hungarian towns of Tök and Zsambek. It has announced the participation of large delegations from its twin towns to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its twinning with Sorgues in 1997. - 12 -

(Flags of Honour - continued)

The following towns could be awarded the European Diploma:

BORKEN (North Rhine-Westphalia)

GUBEN (Brandenburg) on the Polish border (whose twin town Gubin in Poland also applied). Both could be considered for the European Diploma.

HEUCHELHEIM (Hesse)

MAIHINGEN (Bavaria)

MÜHLACKER (Baden-Württemberg)

NEUNKIRCHEN-SEELSCHEID (North Rhine-Westphalia)

SEEHEIM-JUGENHEIM (Hesse)

SCHWANDORF (Bavaria)

Summary:

Flag of Honour European Diploma

Frankenberg/Eder (Hesse) Borken (North Rhine-Westphalia) Furth i. Wald (Bavaria) Guben (Brandenburg) with Gubin (Pol) Neuss (North Rhine-Westphalia) Heuchelheim (Hesse) Schwarzenbruck (Bavaria) Maihingen (Bavaria) Tuttlingen (Baden-Württemberg) Mühlacker (Baden-Württemberg) and possibly Neunkirchen-Seelscheid (North Rhine-Wes) Wettenberg (Hesse) Seeheim-Jungenheim (Hesse) Schwandorf (Bavaria)

5. HUNGARY

Two new candidacies were received. Since the report submitted by Hod mezo vasar hely was exceptional, it is proposed to award it the Flag of Honour directly.

This town of 51,000 inhabitants situated in the south-east of Hungary has spared no effort to develop a network of contacts all over Europe and even beyond. The letters of support from its twin towns and above all the very detailed report it submitted bear wimess to the town's commitment to Europe.

Summary:

Flag of Honour European Diplloma

Hodmezovasarhely Marcali - 13 -

(Flags of Honour - continued)

6. ITALY

51 candidacies, 23 of which were new or renewed in 1997.

It is proposed to award the Flag of Honour to:

FIDENZA (Prov. di Parma), which has sound twin-town contacts with Sisteron (F) and Herrenberg (D). It is also involved in the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes through its contribution to the "Via Francigena" route, which took pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome for centuries.

CORSICO (Prov. di Milano), which will be organising two major international football and basketball tournaments in 1997 to which its twin towns will also be invited.

The European Diploma could be awarded to:

CALCINAIA (Prov. di Pisa)

LIMANA (Prov. di Belluno) (together with Walferdange (L))

PECCIOLI (Prov. di Pisa)

SANTA MARIA A MONTE (Prov. di Pisa)

VIGENZA (Prov. di Venezia), whose very first application was excellent, with a very well documented report.

Summary:

Flag of Honour European Diploma

Fidenza (Prov. di Parma) Calcinala (Prov. di Pisa) Coreico (Prov. di Milano) bimana (Prov. di Belluno) Santa Maria a Monte (Prov. Pisa) Vicenza (Prov. di Venezia)

7. LUXEMBOURG

Only one candidacy was submitted, by WALFERDANGE, which could be awarded the European Diploma jointly with its Italian twin town of LIMANA, which has also applied for the European Diploma.

European Diploma

Walferdange - 14 -

(Flags of Honour - continued)

8. NETHERLANDS

Nine candidacies, one of which was renewed in 1997, by REIDERLAND (Drente), which could be awarded the European Diploma.

European Diploma

Reiderland (Drente)

9. POLAND

Seven candidacies reached the Secretariat and all the reports v/ere very well documented.

GDANSK has developed five twinning arrangements and economic and cultural co- operation agreements with a number of European towns. As a university town it has also entered into co-operation agreements with several European universities. But above all it would like to be awarded the Flag of Honour in 1997 to mark the 1000th anniversary of its foundation.

The town of OPOLE, which has signed partnership agreements with seven European towns and organised several international events in 1996.

WROCLAW (Lower Silesia). The region of Wroclaw has signed a twinning agreement with the Vienne "Département" (F). The city has developed contacts above all at municipal and university level.

It should be noted that the cities of Gdansk and Wroclaw have not been through the preliminary, European Diploma, stage. It somehow seems inappropriate to award the European Diploma to such large cities.

The European Diploma could be awarded to the following towns:

GUBIN (together with the German border town of GUBEN)

OLSZTYN

Summary:

Flag of Honour European Diploma

Gdansk Gubin Opole Olsztyn Wroclaw - 15 -

(Rags of Honour - continued)

9. RUSSIA

This is the first time we have received a candidacy from Russia.

The whole region of NOVGOROD is applying for a Council of Europe distinction.

True, while the city of Novgorod is twinned with several towns and cities in Europe, the USA and even China, the whole region of Novgorod, through its towns, has concluded twinning agreements and is now applying for the Flag of Honour.

Like the Polish cities mentioned above, it seems inappropriate not to award it the Flag of Honour directly.

Summary:

Flag of Honour

Region of Novgorod

10. SPAIN

Four candidacies, including one new one, from POZUELO DE ALARCON, to which it is proposed to award the European Diploma from the outset.

Summary:

European Diploma

Pozuelo de Alarcon

11. SWITZERLAND

Five candidacies, only one of which - that of FULLY - was renewed in 1997.

It is proposed to award the Flag of Honour to the town of PULLY, which has been a European Diploma holder since 1995 and has developed a healthy twinning arrangement with Obernai (F). Pully has also supported numerous humanitarian initiatives, particularly in connection with the "Romanian Village" Operation.

Summary:

Flag of Honour

Pully (Vaud) - 16 - (Flags of Honour - Continued)

12. UNITED KINGDOM

Seven candidacies, three of which were renewed in 1997.

The Rag of Honour could be awarded to the Borough of ROSSENDALE, which is twinned with Bocholt (D), holder of the Europe Prize. The twinning arrangement works well, with about 20 meetings every year.

The European Diploma could be awarded to the EASINGTON District Council.

Summary:

Flag of Honour European Diploma

Borough of ROSSENDALE EASINGTON District Council - 17 -

LIST OF PROPOSALS FOR THE EUROPE PRIZE AND PLAQUES OF HONOUR

1. EUROPE PRIZE

One town has to be selected among the following ones

OUDENAARDE (Belgique) REGENSBURG (Allemagne) REUTLINGEN (Allemagne) SPEYER/Spire (Allemagne) WETZLAR (Allemagne)

2. PLAQUES OF HONOUR (6 à 7)

Are proposed :

France CABOURG (Calvados)

Germany BACKNANG (Baden-Württemberg) GRÜNBERG (Hesse)

and possibly VffiRSEN (North-Rhine-Westphalia)

Italy SARSINA (Prov. di Forti)

Poland SLUPSK (northern Poland)

United Kingdom BRISTOL - 18 -

LIST OF PROPOSALS FOR THE FLAGS OF HONOUR AND EUROPEAN DIPLOMAS

1. FLAGS OF HONOUR (18 to 20)

Austria ST GEORGEN AM WALDE (Haute-Autriche) (subject to sending to the Secretariat a 1997 report)

France BLAYE (Gironde) DREUX (Eure-et-Loir) VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY (Yvelines)

and possibly

CRAN-GEVRŒR (Haute-Savoie)

Germany FRANKENBERG/Eder (Hesse) FURTH I. WALD (Bavaria) NEUSS (North-Rhine-Westphalia) SCHWARZENBRUCK (Bavaria) TUTTLINGEN (Bade-Wiirttemberg)

and possibly WETTENBERG (Hesse)

Hungary HODMEZOVASARHELY

Italy FIDENZA (Prov. di Parma) CORSICO (Prov. di Milano)

Poland GDANSK OPOLE WROCLAW

Russia Region of NOVGOROD

Switzerland FULLY (Vaud)

United Kingdom Borough de ROSSENDALE - 19 -

2. EUROPEAN DIPLOMAS (25)

Austria GURK (Carinthia)

Finland KOTKA

France AHUILLE (Mayenne) MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX (Yvelines) VILLEMOMBLE (Seine-Saint-Denis)

Gennany BORKEN (North Rhine Westphalia) GUBEN (Brandebourg) together with GUBIN (PL) HEUCHELHEIM (Hesse) MAIHINGEN (Bavariai MÜHLACKER (Baden-Württemberg) NEUNKIRCHEN-SEELSCHEID (North Rhine Westphalia) SEEHEIM-JUGENHEIM (Hesse) SCHWANDORF (Bavaria)

Hungary MARCALI

Italy CALCINALA (Prov. di Pisa) LIMANA (Prov. di Belluno) together with WALFERDANGE (L) PECCIOLI (Prov. di Pisa) SANTA MARIA A MONTE (Prov. di Pisa) VIGENZA (Prov. di Venezia)

Luxembourg WALFERDANGE together with Limana

Netherlands REIDERLAND (Drenthe)

Poland GUBIN together with GUBEN (D) OLSZTYN

Spain POZUELO DE ALARCON

United Kingdom EASINGTON District Council