DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development
	PREPARED BY:	Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	2005-Mar-22
	SUBJECT:	Macedonian Request For Cooperation Agreement

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Macedonian Request For Cooperation Agreement” be received,

AND THAT the Mayor be authorized to negotiate and sign an agreement of cooperation between the Town of Markham and the Municipality of Kisela Voda in the Republic of Macedonia,

AND THAT the terms of the agreement be focused on fostering a spirit of fraternity and cooperation between Markham and Kisela Voda.

BACKGROUND:

In January 2005 the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia wrote to Mayor Cousens and conveyed the request that the Town of Markham be twinned with the Municipality of Kisela Voda (pop. 200,000+) in Macedonia. A copy of the letter and the formal motion adopted by the Municipality of Kisela Voda are appended to this report.

The concept of “twinning” is not currently a practice of the Town of Markham. Instead, Markham has selectively chosen to establish “economic alliances” with a limited number of municipalities, and in special cases (particularly in China) has signed a “memorandum of understanding” pledging cooperation and mutual interest. The presumed value of government-to-government and community-to-community social and economic agreements is the subject of considerable debate and inquiry. As a result, the Town of Markham will include this subject as one of the topics of examination in the forthcoming Competitiveness Strategy Study (an approved capital budget project).

Based on the warm and valued relations between the Town of Markham and the Macedonian community (in the GTA and abroad), it is appropriate that the Town acknowledge receipt of the current invitation in a positive way. Therefore it is recommended that the Town of Markham communicate its receipt of the invitation, and respond with a formal motion of Markham Council to develop an agreement of cooperation to encourage the establishment of new and mutually beneficial contacts. This response by Markham will signal the willingness of the Town to be open to further contacts with Kisela Voda, without tying the Town to any of the obligations that may be inherent in a twinning arrangement.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None.

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Involvement in international relations and exchanges is consistent with the economic development objectives of the town.

ATTACHMENTS

Documents received from Macedonian Archbishop

Stephen Chait, Ec.D., CMC Director of Economic Development

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services