E.G.T.C. AMPHICTYONY

The Mediterranean, our sea, is the lake of its Peoples. Those Peoples marched through time and space, alone, sometimes as nomads and tribes and later as independent entities or in the shadow of great empires, with periods of peaceful co-existence, rivalries, friendships, defeats and victories highlighting civilizations whose roots can be found throughout the modern world, always having as common denominator the history written in this particular part of the world. 

Maintaining relations of cooperation and twinning with one another, the Twinned Municipalities, Associations and Areas of the Mediterranean believe that it is a matter of great importance for their peoples to live in a continuously peaceful environment and one of constant development, financially effective, socially just and environmentally viable with cohesion and security in their areas. 

The Twinned Municipalities, Areas and their Associations of the Mediterranean, members of the AMPHICTYONY Network of Twinned Cities and Areas of the Mediterranean that was established with its 1997 charter, realizing the need to adjust the existing charter to the Regulation EK 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and Council of July 5th 2006 for the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation , decide to amend the Charter of AMPHICTYONY as follows in order for it to evolve into an E.G.T.C Network.

 

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Informative Visit to Brussels

Informative Visit to Brussels

The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) “Amphictyony”, in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in Greece, organized an informative visit to Brussels for its members.

The visit took place within the framework of strengthening cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation among local and regional authorities across Europe, aiming to promote the exchange of good practices and to enhance the effectiveness of local governance.

During our two-day presence at the decision-making centers of the European Union, we had the opportunity to receive in-depth briefings, exchange views, and express concerns regarding EU policies that directly affect local government.

The presentations and discussions covered a wide range of issues relevant to local communities, including:

·         The role of the European Commission as the political executive body of the European Union

(Speaker: Mr. Ierotheos Papadopoulos, Adviser for Communication in Member States, DG Communication)

·         Territorial Cooperation Programmes (Interreg)

(Speaker: Mr. Olivier Baudelet, Senior Expert, DG REGIO)

·         Cohesion Policy in Greece and Cyprus

(Speakers: Mr. Kypros Kyprianou and Ms. Christina Karaitidi, DG REGIO)

·         The Water Resilience Strategy

(Speaker: Mr. Nikolaos Georgiadis, DG Environment)

·         The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the presentation of the Greek Strategic Plans

(Speaker: Mr. Nikolaos Kalinis, DG Agriculture and Rural Development)

We sincerely thank the speakers from the European Commission for their insightful presentations and the open, constructive dialogue that followed. The exchange of views was both productive and meaningful, focusing on highlighting the real challenges faced by Greek municipalities, and contributing to a more honest and effective dialogue with the European institutions. The Commission’s representatives provided valuable information, responding clearly and attentively to the questions and reflections raised by our members.

Finally, we had the opportunity to visit the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), where we were briefed on its operation, coordination among Member States, and the response mechanisms activated in cases of natural or man-made disasters — a true example of cooperation, preparedness, and solidarity that can serve as an inspiration at national level.

In conclusion, this experience proved to be a valuable opportunity for knowledge and networking, allowing us to gain a closer understanding of the role of EU institutions and to acquire practical insights into the policies and financial tools that can support our municipalities. It demonstrated that through local strategy, cooperation, and full use of European opportunities, we can build a stronger and more sustainable future for our citizens — and for Europe as a whole.