It is a great honour and privilege to have the opportunity to write these few words of welcome to MEDICON 2001. On behalf of MEDICON 2001 lnternational Program Committee, I wouid like, at first, to extend my warmest thanks to ali participants, scientists and our colleagues, who made possibie, with their contributions, to print this Proceeding and to realise MEDICON 2001. I wouid like also to express my gratitude to every one of my friends and colleagues, who spent days and nights preparing Proceeding and organising MEDICON 2001.

In our fast changing worid, electronic media have turned a worid into giobal viliage and changed our way of life. Current medical and biological technology aiready looks like science fiction. Projections for the twenty-first century sound even more fantastic. lf ali comes to pass as serious biomedical experts and engineers envision, it wili happen an enormous progress in haalth care and people's lives. It can be expected that an important number of different sedous ilinesses and diseases or age-old handicaps wili be treated with new techniques in medicai imaging, intelligent prostheses, neurai impiants, biosensors, tissue engineering, artificial organs, telemedicine, use of virtual reality, minimising surgical invasiveness, etc. If papers and work presented in this Proceeding are only smali part of these efforts, at my opinioni we couid be very, very happy.

I believe that I share general opinion that Pula is the wonderful site we could find for such an event. As a part of the world cuiturai heritage, Pula is a fascinating location from many points of view. lts remarkabie history, rich culture and beautifui architectura go back to ancient times. I hope that ali participants wili find time, between sessions and meetings, to visit these attractions.

Dear participants, honoured guests and before all, dear friends,
Thank you for your contribution to MEDICON 2001!