On 21 September, the mayors of Sofia (Stefan Sofianski), Niš (Goran Ciric) and Skopje (Risto Penov) signed the agreement and statute officially launching the “EuroBalkans” Euro-region in Sofia.  This Euroregion will encompass the municipalities within the Niš-Sofia-Skopje triangle.  Co-operation will also be encouraged and developed in the Preshevo Gnilan-Giljane and Kumanovo micro-regions.

Activities of Cross-border co-operation between Niš (Serbia and Montenegro), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Skopje (FYR of Macedonia) were formalised on 26 October 2002 by establishing the Euroregion, with the support of the East West Institute and the Council of Europe.  Working groups on the following issues were established: Regional Economic Development, Environment and Education (university co-operation) and Culture.

Promoting local democracy and cross-border co-operation is one of the six core objectives of the Stability Pact.  Apart from the Niš-Sofia-Skopje Euroregion, the Pact is also engaged in promoting or establishing the Danube-Körös-Maros-Tisza (Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro) Euroregion, and the Prespa-Ohrid Euro regional Co-operation (Albania, FYR of Macedonia, Greece).