Bern October 16, 2012, [CD-EUDnews]. The Executive Committee of the Seventh-day Adventists’ General Conference unanimously voted during its Annual Council in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, the new name of the former Euro-Africa Region. “The vote states ‘Voted to change the name of the Euro-Africa Division to the Inter-European Division’,” said Bruno Vertallier, president of the new Inter-European Division, who is attending this Annual Council with 350 other members from all parts of the world.
The Euro-Africa (EUD) name was adopted in 1972, following the principle of solidarity when western countries were called to support, among others, the African countries of Angola, Mozambique, North African Territories, as well as Turkey.
When in 2011, the General Conference established a new territory in the Middle East, including countries that belonged to the Euro-Africa Region, it was necessary to change the name.
Choosing a name, with geographical implications, is not so simple, especially when this must represent a vast territory. It was inevitable to keep the word 'Europe' but without creating friction with the other two Regions, ‘Trans-European’ and ‘Euro-Asia,’ which include countries of northern Europe and European Asia.
The proposal of the new name was made after a careful analysis of other options that tried to embody the geographical position of the countries crossing Europe from east to west. When the name, ‘Inter-European Division,’ was suggested by President Bruno Vertallier, the consensus of the EUD committee was unanimous, and the final decision of the Executive Committee was only a matter of time.
Beginning on October 17, 2012, after 40 years, a new page is open in the history of this part of Europe where many challenges and goals are still in process. “It will not be a name that will change the dynamic of our countries,” said Corrado Cozzi, Communications director of this Region, “but this breath of fresh air is promising.” “May the Lord continue to bless this Region” expressed Bruno Vertallier, President of the new Inter-European Region.
The headquarters of the Inter-European Region are in Bern, Switzerland, with about 178’200 members gathering in 2’534 churches and 587 companies in the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Spain and Switzerland.
