Dear Attendees of the EMYS Symposium at Košice - Fauna Carpatica

comparatively high price levels in Germany and France, and this
situation was even aggravated by the wide distances to travel.
This was the reason to decide in favour for Košice for the
third symposium. Košice is located in the easternmost part of what
was “Central Europe” for centuries. Today we are used to call it
“East Europe” due to the sad history of the past century. Due to its
geographic location Košice is easily reached from all directions and
has a reasonable price-performance ratio, allowing the participation
of researchers from countries which were underrepresented before.
Thanks to financial support of DGHT (Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde) it is possible to support even the
participation of many attendees here.
Not only the exchange of research results and ideas requires
that people meet. Also the idea of a Common European Society
requires such an interchange. I am sure this symposium will
contribute to both. Let’s say cordially “thank you” to DGHT and
especially for the proverbial hospitality of our Slovak hosts,
guaranteeing an outstanding congress.
Košice, 18 April 2002
Uwe Fritz