The 2^nd Conference of the Balkan Network for the Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction entitled “European Achievements of Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction” was held on 24^th and 25^th March 2011 in the Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IBIR-BAS), Sofia, Bulgaria. The conference including one workshop was organized for the implementation of the program of ReProForce FP7 project and in collaboration with the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria. The meeting was devoted to the 100 years anniversary from the birth of Acad. Kiril Bratanov – the patron of IBIR-BAS.

At the conference opening speech, the director of IBIR-BAS Prof. Dr. D. Kacheva welcomed the participants and presented the achievements and merits of Acad. K. Bratanov and his collaborators from IBIR in the development and practical application of biotechnology – embryotransfer in different farm animals.

A greeting speech to the participants in the conference was held by Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Mollova - the coordinator of the ReProForce project. After presenting short information about the project mission, aims and objectives she gave an extensive lecture on the life and work of Acad. K. Bratanov.

The 2^nd Conference of the Balkan Network for the Biotechnology in Animal Reproduction was attended by more than 60 research fellows, graduate students and professionals from 16 Balkan and European countries working in the field of biotechnology in animal reproduction and preservation of genetic resourses. Many scientists from Germany, Poland, North Cyprus and the Czech Republic who attended the conference joined the Balkan Network as new members.

The scientific schedule of the conference was organized in three sessions with 3 plenary lectures, 14 short scientific reports, poster session including 14 posters and one working meeting. The presented information provoked the interest of the participants. Broad discussions about possible mutual scientific investigations and collaborations on the presented topics took place.

A workshop entitled “Opportunities for development of the scientific potential in the field of the reproductive biotechnologies based on contemporary achievements and their application for genetic potential preservation and setting prevention barriers of disease spreading in Europe” was organized by the second Balkan conference. The main topics that were discussed during this meeting concerned the perspectives for establishing of collaborations among the European countries and the countries form the west Balkan region in order to participate into 7^th FP and other European programmes. An interesting discussion on the presented topics was held with the active participation of the junior scientists and specialists.

The conference attendants had an opportunity to visit cultural and historical monuments in Bulgaria. For this purpose, trips to the Rila Monastery and the Blagoevgrad town were organized.

Finally, it is evident that the created Balkan Network for biotechnologies of reproduction in animals functions successfully and new members are constantly joining it. All this demonstrates that the main aim of the Network is to unify the scientific efforts of all participants for the development and improvement of the biotechnologies in animal reproduction and to apply the mutual achievements for the preservation and the recovery of genetic biodiversity in the region. As a result, the Network participants work in several projects from the European programmes. For example IBIR-BAS and the participating partner Mr U. Besenfelder in ReProForce project. It was highlighted that the Balkan Network is open for all scientists, who are interested in the biotechnologies of animal reproduction and the application of biotechnologies for preservation of genetic potential of farm animals. The Balkan Network supports the young generation of scientists in this research field.

The participants in the Balkan Network expressed their cordial gratitude to the Organizing Committee, to coordinators of ReProForce project and to the directors IBIR-BAS institute for the excellent organization and financial support for the 1^st and 2^nd Conference of the Balkan Network for biotechnology in animal reproduction.