Sonderband 2. International Council on Archives. Dritte Europäische Archivkonferenz, Wien 11. bis 15. Mai 1993. Tagungsprotokolle (1996)

2. Session /Séance. Regional (trans-border) Cooperation / Coopération régionale (transfrontaliere) - Cova, Ugo: The Case of the Adriatic-Alps Zone / Le cas de la zone Alpes-Adriatique (english 145 - français 153)

2. Session/Séance: Cova, The Case of the Adriatic-Alps Zone

These examples show that cooperation between the ALPE Adria archives already exists, as a result of the friendly climate of cooperation between the peoples of that area. But that activity is sporadic and uncoordinated while it should be coordinated and regular. There are several subjects to be dealt with in common. We should institutionalize our contacts and ties, with the official setting up of a Conference of the Archives Directors of the ALPE Adria regions. Such a proposal should come from the archivists who have close relations with the competent authorities in the Länder, the autonomous states (Bavaria) and the sovereign countries (Slovenia and Croatia) represented in ALPE Adria.

Given the existing cooperation ties, such a proposal is certainly going to be suc- cesfiil, and will create a forum in the heart of Europe for archivists sharing the same culture and civilization. But someone must make the first move, possibly after a survey involving the archives concerned. In order to make this leap forward in the relations between the archives of ALPE Adria, it would be useful to exploit the experience acquired in this field by the working community ARGE Alp, also with a view to defining the new structure which should be as flexible as possible.

It would be advisable to act as soon as possible, before the feelings of cooperation and friendship that have slowly emerged in the past two decades are spoiled by the resurgence of nationalism in Central-Estern Europe.

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