Cooperative possibilities of Visegrad Countries in the field of Balneology Round table discussion

Czech Republic: J. Hnatek Hungary: T. Bender, P. Géher Poland: I. Ponikowska Slovakia: J. Zalesakova

In 1335 Royal summit of the Kings of Poland, Bohemia and Hungary. They agreed to cooperate closely in the field of politics and commerce.

President of the ČSFR Václav Havel, Prime Minister of Hungary József Antall, President of Poland Lech Walesa. Visegrad (Troika) on February 15, 1991

1993 Czech Republic Hungary Poland Slovakia

The Visegrad Group reflects the efforts of the countries of the Central European region to work together in a number of fields of common interest within all- European integration.

The possibilities of co-operation in the education. Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Agreement on co-operation in customs issues. Red Cross national societies experts which evaluated the results of co-operation. Computerization of public administration. Cooperation in the Field of the Environment Protection and Nature Conservation.

Co-operation within the V4 area Co-operation within the EU Co-operation within NATO and other international organisations

 Culture, Þ·Education, youth exchange, science, Þ·Continuation of the strengthening of the civic dimension of the Visegrad co- operation within the International Visegrad Fund and its structures, ·Cross-border co-operation, · Infrastructure, · Environment.

 Fight against terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration, ·Schengen co-operation, ·Disaster management, ·Exchange of views on possible co-operation in the field of labour and social policy, ·Exchange of experiences on foreign development assistance policy, ·Defence and arms industries.

Topics to be discussed Current situation (education, research, links) Health and Industry Existing international cooperation. Future.

Czech Republic: J. Hnatek Hungary: T. Bender, P. Géher Poland: I. Ponikowska Slovakia: J. Zalesakova

I. Current situation Graduate and postgraduate education of balneology. Education of health professionals. Existing research units. Ongoing research. Funding. Collaborations with authorities, insurance companies.

Graduate and postgraduate education of balneology No formal undergraduate education. Subspeciality of physiotherapy (2 years). Interested in balneology: rheumatology, rehabilitation, ortopaedics.

Education of health professionals High schools. Postgraduate education.

Existing research units National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy. Occasional participation: chairs of geology, physics, etc.

Ongoing research I. The effect of radon cave on the endocrin system.The effect of radon cave on the endocrin system. The effect of Parad salt contain thermal water on chronic gynaecologycal diseases.The effect of Parad salt contain thermal water on chronic gynaecologycal diseases. The effect of different type of thermal waters on free acid radical system.The effect of different type of thermal waters on free acid radical system.

Ongoing research II. Vasoregulative changes during balneotherapyVasoregulative changes during balneotherapy Immunological changes during mud therapyImmunological changes during mud therapy. Lab examinations during cure.Lab examinations during cure. Underwater gymnastic therapyUnderwater gymnastic therapy. Underwater traction therapy.Underwater traction therapy.

II. Health and industry Main industrial partners. Industrial influence. Cooperation woth industrial partners.

III. International Cooperations Bilateral cooperations. Multilateral cooperations. EU activities.

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