In 1996 (June, 15-16) at Jablonna Palace, close to Warsaw, Poland, was held an international symposium, organized by the Polish Association of Dermatology. Representatives of the following countries took part in the meeting: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Ukraine (Fig. 2). Chairman of the conference was Professor Wieslaw Glinski, President of Polish Association of Dermatology.

The participants in the symposium - Professor Rubins (Latvia), Professor Tsankov (Bulgaria), Professor Zahejski (Czech Republic), Professor Buchvald (Slovak Republic), Professor Schneider (Hungary), Professor Glukhinky (Ukraine), Dr. Gorkiewicz - Petkow (Poland) - presented briefly the history of dermatological societies in their countries. Discussion was provoked on the problems to be solved by dermatologists in these countries. Representatives of Ukraine, Latvia and Romania emphasized on the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, especially syphilis and AIDS. They stressed on shortage of financial support from the Government, reduction of the number of hospital beds, and places of job for doctors and nurses working in the field of dermatology.

Professor Glinski has suggested that an organization is being created to integrate dermatologists from Central European countries and developed the aims of such an organization. Professor Zahejski and Professor Glinski reminded of the existence of an organization of the Slavonic dermatologists, founded in 1930s. The new organization was named Central East European Dermato Venereological Association (CEEDVA). The Board of the Association was decided to be presented by a President and a Secretary and the meetings to be held annually.

The aim of CEEDVA is to reveal the problems of Dermatology in East European countries to leading European dermatological associations such as EADV, to improve the scientific exchange and the integration between East and West European dermatologists. The access to CEEDVA remains open in the future for other countries from the region which were not among the founders of the new organization, such as Russia, Byelarus, Estonia and Lithuania. Suggestions has been made for Bulgaria to be host country of the next CEEDVA meeting in 1997.

The Polish Association of Dermatology assumed the responsibility for informing ILDS and EADV about CEEDVA foundation and for announcing the First meeting in Warsaw through EADV Journal and International Journal of Dermatology. The results from the symposium as well as its social programme turned out to be a nice opportunity for the participants to exchange views and strengthen the cooperation on the basis of personal contacts. After the First meeting of CEEDVA in Warsaw in 1996, the Polish Society of Dermatology took the responsibility for representing the new organization in 1997. The report from the conference in Warsaw was sent to all CEEDVA members.

Short announcement about the event was sent to EADV and ILDS. In reply, Professor A. Katsambas, Secretary of EADV invited two representatives of Poland to participate as observers during the EADV Board Meeting in Lisbon. Professor W. Glinki had a chance to present briefly the aims of the new organization, and to express the desire of CEEDVA founders for future co-operation with EADV. Dr. A. Gorkiewicz-Petkow distributed the report from CEEDVA meeting in Warsaw to EADV Board members. CEEDVA has been warmly accepted by EADV representatives.

At the Annual Meeting of the British Association of Dermatology (BAD) in Bournemeouth Dr. A. Gorkiewicz - Petkow has spoken of the co-operation between CEEDVA and BAD. As a result BAD has proposed two scholarships for the following 2 years (1997,1998) for candidates from CEEDVA countries to participate in BAD meetings, covering all the expenditures, including travling charges. Dr. A. Kourtchenko from Ukraine was elected for 1997. The Polish Association of Dermatology invited Professor J.P.Ortonne, President of EADV to Warsaw. During his visit the position of CEEDVA in Europe was discussed. Professor Ortonne has stressed on the role of the new organization for the integration of the Central East European countries in EADV. He has suggested Nice as the venue for the next meeting (during the 7th EADV Congress) and has made a proposal for co-operation of the CEEDVA with the French Society of Dermatology. The next meeting of CEEDVA has been organized by the Bulgarian Dermatological Society in Plovdiv (May, 16-18, 1997) with the representatives of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia.

The discussions emphasized on the following: Working committee of CEEDVA - representatives of all dermatological societies Permanent contact with EADV with 3 observers to the Board of Representratives at the Board of CEEDVA Programme of meetings and symposia an specific subjects (allergic diseases, psoriasis, etc.) Problems concerning specialization programme in Dermatology in the United Europe Publication of atricles on the history of dermatological societies from Central Eastern Europe to illustrate the long history of dermatology in that region Active participation of dermatologists from Central European countries at Congresses, Board of scientific organizations, International Journals and Committees.

The third meeting of CEEDVA was held in Nice on October 11, 1998 during the 7th Congress of EADV. The meeting was conducted by Professor N. Tsankov (Bulgaria). Representatives from Romania, Latvia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Poland, Yugoslavia attended the meeting (Fig.3). Professor J.P. Ortonne, President of EADV Nice Congress was presented at the beginning of the meeting. Professor N. Tsankov and Dr. A. Gorkiewicz-Petkow have presented some problems of dermatologists in CEEDVA countries and the future activities of CEEDVA (Fig.4). It was emphasized that CEEDVA should act within EADV activities, providing information about dermatology in CEEDVA countries.

The following problems were discussed, that resulted in several propositions to EADV Board: Reduction of fees for CEEDVA countries (there are differences in the economical situation among those countries). Fellowships for young dermatologists to attend the EADV meeting To supply EADV journal to a University center in every country, member of CEEDVA To include more representatives of CEEDVA countries in the organizing of workshops, symposia chairmen or co-chairmen, during EADV Congress To facilitate short training in dermatology for young registrars in dermatology from CEEDVA countries - in exchange CEEDVA will propose training in clinical dermatology at University Centers It was stressed that CEEDVA countries must increase the numbers in the EADV organization CEEDVA countries should consider the possibility to organize EADV Congress in 2002 CEEDVA organization should play the role of unifying the programme of training in dermatology as compare to the UE countries.