The Erzgebirge District
Euro region times two
Nature knows no national borders. Germany and the Czech Republic have always been naturally connected with each other through the Erzgebirge. In addition to the Czech Republic as an immediate neighbour, Poland is also only a stone’s throw away. Particularly owing to the EU’s eastward expansion, the Erzgebirge have also been shifted from the outskirts of Europe into its centre, on a political level as well. Owing to this favourable location, there are diverse opportunities for cooperation. Thus, the Erzgebirge have developed good cooperation relationships with their immediate neighbours, and at the same time, throughout the rest of Europe, e.g. with Austria, Poland and Hungary.
With the goal of promoting cross-border cooperation and promoting the economic, social and cultural development of the regions themselves, the Euregio Egrensis and Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Euroregions were formed at the beginning of the 1990s.
Europe in the Erzgebirge
EUROPE DIRECT – The Erzgebirge information centre
The interface between the citizens of the Erzgebirge and the European Union is the EUROPE DIRECT Erzgebirge Information Centre in Annaberg-Buchholz. As one of the five information centres in Saxony, it has been integrated into the Europe-wide EUROPE DIRECT network.
The mission of the local information centres includes comprehensive consulting and provision of information about issues affecting the European Union and its policies as well as the promotion of regional debates throughout Europe. In addition, the networks support the EU institutions in the dissemination of information which is intended to meet local requirements. In addition, the general public throughout the region likewise has the opportunity to give feedback about the EU institutions through the centres.
In addition to public informational events, the project office at the technology-oriented Annaberg Business Start-up and Service Centre (Gründer- und Dienstleistungszentrum, GDZ) also offers personal consulting about EU-related issues.