Regional Conference on Inter-municipal co-operation: models for empowering local self-government

Kyiv, Ukraine, 1st October 2015

[06-10-2015] - On 1st October 2015, a Regional Conference on Inter-municipal co-operation: models for empowering local self-government took place in Kyiv within the framework of the European Union/ Council of Europe Programmatic Co-operation Framework in the Eastern Partnership countries (PCF EaP) under its thematic Programme: "Strengthening the institutional framework for local governance." This high-level event was devoted to the experience of members of all Eastern Partnership States in implementation of territorial administration reforms, inter-municipal co-operation, reforms of administrative-territorial system, current tasks and challenges towards empowering and strengthening capacity of local governments to carry out their activities through amalgamation and inter-municipal co-operation. Participants specifically discussed Study on Inter-municipal Co-operation in Eastern Partnership countries: findings and recommendation prepared by a team of the CoE experts representing all EaP countries.

 Among the participants and speakers were Gennadiy ZUBKO, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine, Jan TOMBIŃSKI , Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to Ukraine, Ambassador; Alfonso ZARDI, Head of the Democratic Institutions and Governance Department, Directorate General of Democracy (DG II) of the Council of Europe; Sergiu CEAUȘ, Deputy General Secretary of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and other high-level participants, who particularly welcomed active co-operation and joint activities in support of decentralisation and local self-government development. The event was attended by over 100 representatives from central authorities, local governments and their associations from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus.