ZELS (Association of local self-government units) organized a Fair of Municipalities “ZELS EXPO” on 25-26.11.2009 in Skopje.  On the Fair, except for the municipalities, for the first time also the Centres of the planning regions took part. The Centre for Development of the East Planning Region with support of GTZ RED, took part and represented the region. On the Fair, together with the Centre for Development of the East planning region on the same stand, six municipalities from the region (Karbinci, Probishtip, Cheshinovo-Obleshevo, Delchevo and Zrnovci) also presented their possibilities and potentials for development.

In the frame of serial training for capacity building for regional development-regional management on National level, IV module, there was a Study trip in Slovenija, Hungary and Croatia. The study trip was conducted in the period from 15.11 to 21.11.2009 and was organized by the GTZ RED Programme. As representative of the Centre for Development of the East Planning Region, the Manager Mrs. Dragica Zdraveva took part in the study tour.

On 22.12.2009 (Tuesday), the seventh regular meeting of the Council for Development of the East Planning Region took place in the hall of the Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica.

At the meeting they discussed the implementation phase of the activities foreseen in the Action Plan for the establishment of inter-municipal (regional) public enterprise (IPE) for waste management in the East planning region. The conclusion is that the next step of the Action Plan is registration of IPE “DEPOSIT East”. 

XVII (seventeenth) Regional Assembly of Mayors from Bregalnica-Strumica Region, supported by GTZ RED, was held on 28.09.2009 in Pehchevo. 20 Mayors from both regions were present on the Assembly, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Local self-government, employees from the Centers of the East and South-East planning regions and representatives from GTZ RED. As special guests on the Assembly we had Mayors from Municipalities Brvenica, Tearce, Bogovinje, Makedonski Brod and Vevchani. 

On the 15.09.2009 in the small hall of the Municipality of Stip held a working meeting on the situation with the introduction of waste sector in the region. On the some ware present the Mayors, Manager of the Centre for development of the East Planing Region Mrs. Dragica Zdraveva, represents from the Municipalities Council, Public enterprises and sectors for environmental in the frame of East Planning Region. On the working meeting was present and Mrs. Elizabet Poncelet from TEAKS mission for waste management, Mrs. Darinka Jantinska manager in department for IPA in the Ministry for environmental and spatial planning.

On 24.07.2009, the Centre for development of the East Planning Region, represented by Manager Dragica Zdraveva and Centre for sustainable development ALKA represented by Director Dzipunov Zarko signed Memorandum for cooperation.

The Memorandum of understanding refers to capacity building cooperation on local and regional level. Another topic for cooperation is mobilisation of potentials and development of sustainable problem solving strategies. The two parties agreed to cooperate in the field of implementation of activities for sustainable regional development which take place in the East Planning Region.

On 27.07.2009 the Centre for Development of the East Planning Region, represented by the Manager Dragica Zdraveva signed Memorandum of understanding and cross-border cooperation with Business information and Consulting Centre in Sandanski, Bulgaria. This Memorandum has the objective of promoting on good neighborhood relationship, reinforcing stability, security and progress of joint interest, also stimulate the harmonious, balanced and sustainable development on both sides of the border.

For European Union a very important issue is stability, good managing and economic development of bordering regions. At the same time, partners of the European Union from Western Balkans (including Macedonia) striving to enter the EU, has aspiration  to establish stronger relationships with organizations from EU member states. 

Partners will operate from both sides of the border, based on common interest and benefit. 

On 06.07.2009, in motel “Sliv-Vinica” the Council for development of the East planning region had its forth Meeting.

Main point for discussion at the Meeting was the content and topics of project-proposals that are to be elaborated by the Centre for development of the East planning Region and the Units of Local Self-Government, in order to set priority topics and consequently start with elaboration and implementation. 

On the Meeting, the Centre presented possible project proposals that are of vital meaning for development of the region. The sustainable development of the region can be achieved only with studious approach in setting priorities on the long run.

This goal can only be achieved through thorough analysis of the conditions in the region, a conclusion that was brought by all Mayors of the East planning region.

From 21 until 27 of June 2009, the Mayors from the East and South-East planning region had a study tour in Germany, Saxony.

During the study tour, the Mayors had the opportunity to visit local self-government units and business sector on local and regional level, thus they were introduced to the good practices, which may be adapted to our conditions.

The Mayors used the study trip for exchange of experiences and ideas, in the sense of upgrading local and regional development.

The Mayors visited Chemnitz/Zwackau region, the municipalities Nebelschutz and Zittau, and administrative area Vogland.

Study tours of this kind are very productive in planning regional development and implementation of projects, having in mind that Germany is leader in regional development within the European Union.

On the 26th of June 2009 the Centre for Development of the East Planning Region met with the Business information and Consulting Centre in Sandanski, Bulgaria. This meeting was an opportunity to share experiences and to search for areas of future cooperation.

The Centre for Development of the East Planning Region, as a new legal entity, will work on creating a network of cooperative partnerships. In addition, the Business Information and Consulting Centre has a wide appreciation and acceptance of varying viewpoints and looks to convert its long-lasting experience into future cooperation in the development of the region.

Both sides have agreed to sign an agreement of cooperation, focused on cross-border cooperation between the East Planning Region and Business Information and Consulting Centre.

The Business Information and Consulting Centre - Sandanski is now planning a trip to visit the Centre for Development of the East Planning Region and will mean a fruitful and long-term cooperation between two sides.