Representatives of the cities of Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Ohrid (Macedonia) signed a Memorandum of Friendship on Thursday.

The memorandum was signed in Kotor, where the mayors of UNESCO-recognised cities are attending a two-day meeting of the Organisation of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) directors.

Under the friendship memorandum, the four cities will apply together for international projects and exchange experiences in the fields of culture and sports.

“We are happy that Dubrovnik, Mostar, and Ohrid are here with us today and that we had this opportunity to sign together a Memorandum of Friendship between our four cities. I'm certain that this will be a guide for everyone on how to advance the cooperation between the cities in the region, particularly between the ones that share common values and problems,” said the Kotor Mayor, Vladimir Jokic.

“I'm certain that signing this memorandum is the basis of future cooperation and the way to bring benefits to the cities and their residents,” Jokic added.

The Dubrovnik Mayor, Mato Frankovic, said he regretted the memorandum had not been signed sooner, because the numerous problems and challenges facing UNESCO cities could be resolved through mutual cooperation and suggestions.

“At the same time, we can jointly apply to European funds and other possible financing sources for various activities and resolve, through cooperation, everything that we consider important – promote sports and improve our existing infrastructure through the exchange of experience,” Frankovic said.

He added that some activities have already been launched when it comes to sustainable tourism.

“With regard to destination management, we are in very active talks with Kotor about what, and in what way, should be done in the future about the issue of cruisers, how to control tourism, how to restore our monuments,” Frankovic said, adding that the cooperation between the cities would develop in several segments over the coming months.