The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat launched on 10 September 2008 its first Essay and Photo Contest with the theme Regional Cooperation in Southeast Europe.

The contest submissions should reflect the RCC mission of promoting mutual cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Southeast Europe in order to reinvigorate economic and social development in the region to the benefit of its people. The important contribution of Southeast Europe to the rest of Europe and the world should be mirrored in the submissions.

The works should reflect readiness and ability of the people of Southeast Europe to take responsibility for their future, and to create, through dialogue and cooperation, conditions for overall progress of the region and a climate of tolerance and encouragement.

The citizens as well as legal entities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and UNMIK/Kosovo, regardless of age and profession, are eligible to take part in the contest.

The best works in each category (essay and photo) will be awarded as follows: 1st place - 2,000 euro, 2nd place - 1,000 euro, 3rd place - 500 euro. Deadline for receiving the submissions is 15 October 2008.

The works are to be sent to the following address:

Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat

Media Unit (for Essay and Photo Contest 2008)

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V

71000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

E-mail: press@rcc.int

The full text of the contest rules is available at the RCC website www.rcc.int