Partners from the Opal Coast
Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk, commonly known
as Tri-city, were invited by Opal Coast Mixed Syndicate
to visit Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne.
The study visit to France (2-6 March 2002)
aimed to initiate multilateral cooperation between Tri-city
conurbation and the cities of the Opal Coast. Both Polish
and French partners have great economic, scientific as well
as cultural potential whereas mutual experience exchange
may enrich the development of these conurbations. The Baltic
Sea Region is one of the most integrated in Europe. The
Baltic co-operation is carried out in various domains in
over 80 institutions, governmental and non-governmental
organizations, and is easily noticed by foreign partners
from outside the BSR. Hence the presence of Dunkerque Communauté
Urbaine at 6th UBC General Conference in Rostock, where
the interested parties met.
During the stay on the north coast of France,
the Polish delegation met the authorities of three cities:
Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne, representatives of the Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, as Université de Litteral
Côte d'Opale. Among the most important spheres of
future co-operation are experiences exchange regarding port
area revitalization, port management and new technology
transfer. The visit was financially supported by the Foundation
France – Pologne.
Searching new partners outside the BSR, particularly
among European Union countries such as France and United
Kingdom, is a far-reaching approach and supplements the
existing co-operation with new aspects, opens new possibi-lities
and allows for better and more complete development of our
conurbations.
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