This will be the first combined Thrace and Balkans management meeting and has special significance to identify desired regional outcomes related to emergency preparedness and activities aimed at improving early detection and response to FMD And Similar TADS (”FAST diseases”) as well as to improve inter-country coordination over the coming years.

The participating countries will work through the following:

-A common modelling programme to better estimate the risks, impacts and needs for control programmes across the Tripartite and Balkan countries, for FMD and other TADS;

-Development of a common programme for simulation exercises and drills for preparedness;

-Co-ordination of surveillance for FAST diseases.

-Diagnostic banks for support to routine and emergency needs of the network of NRLs; 

-A proposal for a FAST disease risk research and preparedness network that will engage research institutions and veterinary faculties in Balkan region. 

The meeting will also provide a platform to discuss diagnostic banks for support to routine and emergency needs of the network of national reference laboratories, the development of a common programme for simulation exercises and drills for preparedness and co-ordination of surveillance for TADs. 

Key decision makers, initially from Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Serbia but also the Ukraine, will map out measurable key national and regional targets for the coming two years.