European Congress of Chimney Sweeps opens in Belgrade

BELGRADE - The two-day 2014 European Congress of Chimney Sweeps, organized by the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE) in one of its member states every two years, started in Belgrade on Thursday.

President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) Zeljko Sertic opened the event at Falkensteiner Hotel.

The PKS and its group for chimneysweeping services has prepared a whole series of activities to improve the chimneysweeping industry.

All organisations that help the country's economy and develompent should receive strong support, Sertic noted.

Assistant Mayor of Belgrade Borko Milosavljevic said chimneysweeping, as a utility, is extremely important for the functioning of a city, but also for the quality of life of its inhabitants.

The goal of the city authorities is to improve the quality of life for Belgrade residents and that includes constant support for the chimneysweeping industry, which will be based on efficiency and rational use of resources, he stated.

ECHFOE President Hans-Guenther Beyerstedt said the meeting in Belgrade was extremely important, because important issues like chimneysweep training and professionalisation would be discussed there.

It is very important to ensure safety in companies and households, but also to cut down pollution to a minimum while raising energy efficiency, he pointed out.

ESCHFOE comprises national chimney sweep organisations from 21 countries of Europe, but also the US.

This is the first such congress held in Serbia and it was organised together with the PKS and the Chimney Sweep Association of Serbia.

Photo Tanjug - Sava Radovanovic