This year's AGM took place in Germany from August 28-30, in Villa Schaaffhausen, Bad Honnef near Bonn. Delegates from Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Sweden attended the meeting. Members from Norway, Sweden and Slovakia sent greetings but were unable to take part. Several members of the German Vegetarier Bund had come also to join us. On 'Drachenfels' with a view on Bonn Constructive Meeting The AGM which took place on Saturday afternoon was very lively and constructive, a good occasion to exchange ideas and opinions. It was once again stated that the EVU statutes (September 97) clearly spell out that the EVU is an independent non-profit organisation, according to international law duly registered in the Netherlands. It may serve as regional body of the IVU. Elections The following candidates were (re-) elected en bloc: Sigrid De Leo, (CH) general secretary; Igor Bukovsky, (SK) deputy president; Irena Medkova, (RU) board member; Alessandra Schiona, (I) board member; Claude Pasquini; (L), board member, Hans van Boven, (NL) board member with specific duties. Future Work Strategies for future work, especially in the area of education were discussed and will be discussed again at the 7 th EVU Congress in Switzerland '99. All member societies are invited to send their experience in this field to the EVU secretary. (The 'Vegabond' from Luxembourg has already done so.) There was a long discussion about the Vlabel which has been registered in most European countries. Probably in the next issue of the EVU News you may read about final decisions taken. The working team of the EVU is very Report: EVU's Annual General Meeting 1998 active in promoting vegetarianism in Europe (and beyond). It was stated that there is very good collaboration between all officers. EVU Congresses The Swedish bid for the EVU Congress in 2003 was accepted unanimously under the condition that the EVU congress guidelines would be followed in order to guarantee a successful event. The 'Swiss' EVU Congress '99 was presented and several questions and proposals were made. Dr. Erwin Laupert (A) suggested that students should receive a reduction and I can tell you herewith that a reduction of up to 50% of the congress fee is possible on written request from applicants. There was no bid for the EVU Congress 2001. So, if your society is be interested in helping organise the event, please contact the EVU secretary. Perfect Organisation Hildegund Scholvien organised the meeting perfectly and all participants enjoyed the stay at Villa Schaaffhausen, a famous non-smoking vegetarian seminar centre set in lovely natural surroundings. The ingredients for the excellent food were grown organically right behind the villa in a huge vegetable garden. Boarding the "Beethoven" for a trip on the Rhine Excursions Saturday after breakfast most of the participants went on a 2 ½ hour's walk up to the 'Drachenfels' where the dragon of the Nibelungen is said to have raged. From the ruins of the medieval castle we had a wonderful view over the Rhine Valley, the Siebengebirge and a part of Bonn. On Sunday everybody went on a lovely boat trip on Germany's mightiest river to Linz, a picturesque medieval town with beautiful old houses. Just time to buy some souvenirs and back we went to the Villa. We would have liked to continue discussing and talking but soon after lunch we had to leave, as most of the participants had a long journey home. The longest trip was probably the one of the five representatives of the Societą Vegetariana from Milan / Italy who by the way said that it was the first time that they had eaten well outside Italy. Could a kitchen staff get a better compliment? Sigrid De Leo