Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is our great honour and privilege to invite you to take part in the 23 rd Conference of the European Branch of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections ( IUSTI) on Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS, held jointly with the Annual meeting of the Croatian D ermatovenereological and Croatian STD Societies of the Croatian Medical Association in Cavtat/Dubrovnik, Croatia, October 11-14, 2007. The multidisciplinary topic of the sexually transmitted infections has been the part of the rich academic Mid-European and Mediterranean tradition in Croatia during the last century as an integral part of Dermatology and Venereology. We believe that the 23 rd IUSTI-Europe Conference will be an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, knowledge and experience among colleagues from Europe and other parts of the World. Moreover, our experience from the past IUSTI Europe Conferences has shown that our internationally renowned guests have become our dear friends. Such attitude clearly shows the international and the cosmopolitan spirit of the IUSTI and the Croatian Dermatovenereological and STD Societies.

We also point out that the cities of Dubrovnik and Cavtat (antique Epidaurus ) are the world-renown “ Pearl of the Mediterranean ”, situated in Dalmatia, the southern region of Croatia , on the famous Adriatic Sea , internationally renowned for the breathtaking sceneries of its beautiful coast, thousands of islands and peninsulas overwhelmed with rich and unique vegetation. History meets in Dubrovnik from the Antique Greek-Roman period to the dynamical Mediterranean atmosphere nowadays.

Many distinguished international experts and good friends have already accepted invitation to take part at the Conference, including dermato venereo logists, gynaecologists, infectologists, microbiologists, urologists, epidemiologists from all over Europe and World. Together with well known experts from Croatia , they will do their utmost to make the scientific and professional level of the Conference memorable. We promise the traditional Croatian hospitality, the Conference Organizing and Scientific Committee will make their greatest efforts to create an unforgettable professional and social atmosphere for every participant. My dear friends and colleagues, you are all very specially invited to join us in Cavtat/Dubrovnik, at the Adriatic Sea in Croatia , in October, 2007.
Welcome!
Mihael Skerlev, Conference President