It is our pleasure to announce the 5th “Balkan Network for Euro Protection" conference, traditionally co-organised by the Croatian National Bank and with the financial support of the European Commission, DG for Economic and Financial Affairs, Macroeconomic policies, Euro Protection and euro cash (ECFIN.C.5), under the Pericles IV programme. The conference will be held during the period of 15 - 18 May 2023 at Rovinj.

In line with the Pericles IV programme, the Conference aims to prevent and combat euro and other currencies counterfeiting and related fraud, and therefore enhance the trust of the public and businesses in the integrity of the euro cash, and in the Union's economy further securing the sustainability of public finances.

The objective of the 5th “Balkan Network for Euro Protection” conference is to improve close and regular cooperation among the national authorities involved in combating counterfeiting of euro and other currencies outside the EU, already established during our previous conferences held in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar.

Furthermore, the 5th “Balkan Network for Euro Protection” conference promotes the need for continuous education and exchange of information and views between institutions involved in the activities of protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting, primarily central banks, mints and commercial banks, but also ministries of the interior, state attorney’s offices and customs, as well as EU institutions such as the ECB, Europol and Eurojust. Considering Croatia as a new member of the Euro Area since 1 January 2023, there is an increasing need for the exchange of expertise and experiences between all parties involved since the new circumstances might cause the increase in recorded counterfeit euro coins and banknotes in all the neighbouring non-EU countries. Thus, the conference aims to gather Member States using the euro, those not using the euro as well as South-Eastern European non-EU countries. 

Participation to the conference is by invitation only.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.