RESOLUTIONS

2005

• Resolution on the Restoration and Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage in Kosovo/a

2003

• The City Walls of Istanbul (Turkey)

2000

• Marathon Site and Schinias Wetland, Greece

1999

• Heritage at Risk in Kosovo

1997

• Gemile (Kabak) Valley in the Fethiye-Faralya Region, Turkey

The City Walls of Istanbul (Turkey)

At its meeting in Cahors (France), the Council of Europa Nostra having heard the report of its Scientific Council on the poor state of conservation of the City Walls of Istanbul which are of European significance, adopted the Resolution on the present-day threats to their conservation. The Resolution expressed Europa Nostra’s serious concern over the insufficient quality of the restoration of the walls and called for the mobilisation of international and local experts to ensure the quality of their conservation. The Resolution was sent to the Minister of Culture and Tourism, the Mayor of Istanbul and to the Representative of the European Commission in Turkey. Also, a press statement on the Resolution was released in Turkey.
Read the Istanbul Resolution

Marathon Site and Schinias Wetland, Greece (2000)

Upon request of Mr Costa Carras, Vice-President of Europa Nostra, representing Elliniki Etairia, a Resolution was adopted demanding that urgent action be taken to ensure the protection of the Marathon Historic Site and Schinias Wetland, currently threatened by the proposed development of the area for the 2004 Olympic Games. The Greek Government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have planned the construction of a permanent rowing facility in view of the 2004 Olympic Games. The location selected for this future rowing facility possesses great historical value (Marathon) and is an ecological area of international importance (Schinias wetland). Four Greek conservation organisations have joined their efforts to save the site but experience great difficulty in getting their message across to the Greek authorities and the public. The organisations therefore sought international support for their campaign, in the expectation that the Greek Prime Minister, the President of the IOC and the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs will be sensitive to international pressure. The resolution has become part of a larger campaign.
Read the Marathon Resolution

Heritage at Risk in Kosovo (1999)

At its meeting in May 1999 the General Assembly of Europa Nostra approved its Council's resolution on the effects of the recent armed conflict on the built and natural heritage of Kosovo. In this resolution Europa Nostra, while recognising the overall dominance of the human side of this tragedy, stresses that the resettlement and reconciliation of its peoples will be infinitely more difficult if their heritage is damaged or destroyed. Europa Nostra, acting in concert particularly with ICOMOS, has stressed to the European authorities the importance of sending a group of independent experts to Kosovo to assess the damage and make recommendations. The European Commission, liasing with the Council of Europe has recently agreed the despatch of such a group. Consultation with representatives of European civil society, which would include Europa Nostra, is expected.
Read the 1999 Resolution on Kosovo

Gemile (Kabak) Valley in the Fethiye-Faralya Region, Turkey (1997)

The Fethiye-Faralya region with its exceptional botanical richness and important archaeological remains is threatened by tourist development. The Turkish authorities were requested to reverse a decision to grant planning permission for the construction of a large hotel complex and to declare the Kabak (Gemile) Valley and Gorge as well as the adjacent regions a historical and natural preserve.