The Geological Survey of Serbia (GZS) became a full member of EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) in March 2015. What are the priorities and needs for GZS in order to grow further within EuroGeoSurveys? The Geological Survey of Serbia, which dates back to 1930, has a long and well established history, with internationally recognised professional expertise. Being a full member of EuroGeoSurveys is very important for us. This is in accordance with the strategy of our Survey too. It is an occasion to follow the latest professional trends worldwide, which represents an advantage and a way for every European Geological Survey to increase its international presence. Geology has no borders, and geological practice needs international cooperation. Our priority is to see EGS and GZS in a mutually beneficial ‘win-win’ situation. In order to exchange professional experiences, especially within the new technologies domain, we need well-established cooperation with other Geological Surveys across the EU. Our Survey is going to support our colleagues to join the existing EGS Expert Groups. Serbia is officially a candidate country to become a member of the EU and negotiations with Serbia have already been opened. How would you describe the benefits/consequences of such a milestone for geological survey cooperation? It is clearly important to harmonize EU and RS regulations , and in this instance, those that apply to our profession. EGS provides a focal point for various appropriate professional experiences and this will be another advantage. Our Survey has obligations and plays an active role in creating national regulations relevant to geology. In the landscape of Balkan countries, the Geological Survey of Serbia is quite a large institution and could potentially put cooperation on the right track in several geological domains with neighboring countries. How would you see such a role? For the...

EuroGeoSurveys Membership –composed solely by the Geological Surveys of Europe – keeps growing steadily. At the EuroGeoSurveys General Meeting, held in Brussels on 24th March, EuroGeoSurveys welcomed 3 new members: the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC), the Geological Surveys of Serbia (GSS) and the Geological Survey of the Republic of Macedonia (GSRM). The vote, held in the morning during a closed-door session, brought the EGS Membership to 37 Geological Surveys, therefore almost fully covering the whole Europe. Ms. Anita Drondina, Head of Environment, Climate Change and Regional Policy Division at the Permanent Representation to the EU of Latvia, current President of the EU, and Ms. Inita Stikute, LVGMC Board Chair person, gave a presentation on the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC) and their interest in joining EGS as Full Member. The Geological Survey of Serbia (GSS) application as a Full Member was introduced by H.E. Ambassador Dusko Lopandic, Head of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, while Mr. Dragoman Rabrenovic, Director of GSS, presented the organization. H.E. Ambassador Andrej Lepavcov, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union, introduced the application of the Geological Survey of Macedonia (GSRM). After the presentation of the Survey given by the Director Mr. Kostadin Jovanov, GSRM was officially introduced as Full Member of EGS. Moreover, in the afternoon session EuroGeoSurveys and the Geological Survey of Turkey (MTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement was signed by EGS President Mr. Koen Verbruggen and the MTA Director General Mr. Yusuf Ziya Cosar and is aimed to exchange scientific and technical experience and knowledge in areas such as marine geology, waste characterisation, climate change, preparation of geochemical atlas, etc. The enlargement of the EGS Membership,...