BALCINET, the Network of major Balkan Cities, was founded in Thessaloniki in December 2001 aiming at the development of inter-Balkan inter-municipal co-operation. During its Founding Summit, the Network’s bodies were established as well.

The top event of the Balkan Cities’ Network is the Mayors’ Summit that is organized every year by the Presiding City. For the year 2005, the Presidency of the Balkan Cities’ Network is held by the Municipality of Craiova.

The Balkan Cities’ Network is an institution that has established relationships of friendship and co-operation among major cities of Balkan countries.

It was created in 2000, following an initiative by the Municipality of Thessaloniki. During our meetings in previous years, we shaped the Network’s bodies and structure, the top one being the Mayors’ Summit, which regularly convenes each year.

The first and second Mayors’ Summits convened in Thessaloniki in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

In 2002, the Mayors’ Summit was hosted in Sofia.

In August 2004, on the occasion of the Olympic Games being organized by Greece, Thessaloniki held an extraordinary – celebratory Mayors’ Summit, following a decision by the Network’s Executive Secretariat in December 2003.

In April 2005, Piraeus hosted the 5th Mayors’ Summit and on August 26, 2005, the Network’s Executive Secretariat convened in Thessaloniki.

From September 29 to October 2, the Municipality of Craiova will be hosting the 6th Summit of Mayors of major Balkan Cities.

The Summit’s topics will be:

a) development of friendship and co-operation between major Balkan cities, within the framework of the European Enlargement, as well as common access to the EU structural funds beginning on January 1, 2007 and

b) common battle against crime and drug trafficking in the Balkan Peninsula.