ForewordThe political changes over the last 15 years at the Balkans, in Europe and across the world have providedopportunities for a new level of relationships in science among all countries.The Prof. Dr. Jan Grote project “100 ENT Clinics from Eastern and Western Europe” provided the firststep toward starting scientific meetings and continuing medical education between Balkans and Europeancountries. These relationships met European standards and forms of education. Two-way collaborationwith the ORL Clinic, Heraklion, Crete, headed by Prof. Emmanuel Helidonis, proved very useful for along time.Initial steps also included scientific forums with otorhinolaryngology and neuro - surgery specialists.During the first 3 years, meetings were organized between the ORL Clinic and the Neuro-surgery Clinicwith head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petar Valkanov, Trakia University Stara Zagora. Since 1999, the scientificcontacts with ORL Clinic, Edirne, Turkey, head Prof. Dr. Ahmet Karasalihoglu and Prof. Dr. Cem Uzunprovided the foundation for the ORL scientific communication between ORL societies of Balkan coun-tries. The participation of presidents and leaders as Prof. Dr. Nuri Ozgirin, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Hizalan,Prof. Dr Milan Stankovic had a positive influence on our expertise in otology.Over the years, other official guests included distinguished professors such as Prof. Dr. Mirko Tos, Prof.Dr. Erwin Offeciers, Prof. Dr. Klaus Jahnke, Prof. Karl Huttinbring, Prof. H-P. Zenner, Prof. Dr. DanFliss, Prof. Dr. Keehyun Park, Prof. Dr. Christian Dubreuill, Prof. Dr. Franco Trabalzini, Dr. Robert Vin-cent and also Prof. Dr. Hesham Negm, Prof. Dr. Badr Mostafa, etc.International relations in science were established among different ORL societies of Balkan countriessuch as Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Romania and in the EC, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Is-rael, etc.The collaboration with social activities and spiritual care professionals, represented by the departmenthead Prof. Veska Shcoscheva, began in 2001. Seminars and concerts were organized for 5 years in ded-ication to St. Ivan Rilski Miraculous, the spiritual protector of Bulgaria and patron of Bulgarian humandoctors. The 5 interdisciplinary symposiums, conferences and concerts were in the field of medicine,social activity, hearing-speech rehabilitation and spiritual care. In the last 5 years, special pedagogy wasincluded with scientific collaboration and meetings by head Prof. Zhaneta Stoykova and Prof. VenetaKatzarska.A special place of importance in international relationships was held by Prof. Dr. Jacques Magnan, Pro-fessor Emeritus of otorhinolaryngology, Founder of European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology,Past President of Politzer Society, Doctor Honoris Causa Trakia University. The success of the performedmeetings in disseminating scientific knowledge were thanks to his humanity, rich experience and highlevel of professionalism. We thanks Prof. Ivan Stankov, Rector of Trakia University Stara Zagora and Assoc. Prof. Dr. AnnaTolekova, Vice Rector for theire support during the organization of scientific forums and continuingmedical education.Prof. Dr. Pavel Dimov, PhD, MscHead ORL Clinic, University Hospital, Trakia University Stara Zagora2002-2004 General Secretary, Balkan Society of Otorhinolarynogology, Head-Neck Surgery2002-2004-2006-2008 Regional Secretary of BulgariaEuropean Academy of Otology and Neuro-OtologyProceedings15 Years Continuing Medical Education in Otology, Bulgaria3
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