COPPEM General Assembly

Palermo, Italy, 24 November 2006

Speech by Ian Micallef,

President of the Chamber of Local Authoritiesof the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Mr Chairman,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Throughout history, the Mediterranean has been the sea uniting people. Despite all the conquests, wars and conflicts we have had, it brought together Europe, Africa and Asia, through cultural exchanges, commerce, migration of people, and our natural proximity to each other. The large populations of people from the southern rim of the Mediterranean living in Europe, as much as the large numbers of Europeans in the countries across the Mediterranean sea, are a clear proof of that.

We are linked, and we are interdependent. The Council of Europe and its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, which I represent as President of the Chamber of Local Authorities, recognised it a long time ago by establishing the Center for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, also known as the North-South Center, with its system of quadrilogue – involving national governments, parliamentarians, local and regional authorities and non-governmental organisations – the system in which our Congress is actively participating. The Congress has in the very recent past contributed to the strengthening of local democracy in the northern part of Africa by setting up an Association representing local authorities in Morocco. It is the intention of the Congress to continue working on similar initiatives during the coming year under the patronage of the North South Center of the Council of Europe.

The Congress has also been active in establishing links across the Mediterranean, in particular in the Middle East. The Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI) and the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) have observer status with the Congress, which provides for a forum of discussion of issues related to the Middle East peace process. As recently as last week, on 14 November, the Chamber of Local Authorities had a round table on the way in which European municipalities can help the Middle East process, with the participation of European and Middle Eastern personalities.

Engaging the countries of the southern rim of the Mediterranean is important for Europe and a wider region as a whole, first, to break down the stereotype of “Fortress Europe” and to establish the relationship of solidarity and cooperation between the two shores of the sea uniting us. The Council of Europe has been the first European institution to launch the Euromed project and other campaigns against intolerance, xenophobia and racism. All these aimed to dismantle borders which up to a few decades ago divided the two shores.

This is why I am proud to congratulate today the two recipients of the Semed’Orange prize, Mrs Mubarak and Mr Ciampi – the prize which is the symbol of the will and hope for progress in pursuing peace and justice and building cooperation in the Euromediterranean, awarded to them in recognition of their involvement in, and their contribution to bringing the two shores together, building a bridge between peoples of our two continents. Thank you on behalf of the local authorities in Europe.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are living today in a time of change. The dividing political lines, together with administrative borders, are disappearing, following the unification of Europe after the collapse of the Communist regimes; we are living in a new dimension of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. This historic change brought about the increasing importance of territorial communities, which are establishing inter-regional and intercommunal relations across our continent – and we in the Congress hope that this will go beyond Europe.

Our time calls for networks of regional and local authorities to deliver good governance and high-quality public services at the level closest to the citizen, to promote human dignity based on our shared and universal values not only in Europe but throughout the world. The organisations such as COPPEM, with which the Congress has established very close cooperation, make a valuable contribution to this cause, and I am delighted to be here to address you personally.

We know that our cause is just. We know that our methods are fair. We know that to bring peace we need to unite people. So let us roll up our sleeves to bring the two shores of the Mediterranean together, in the spirit of liberty and prosperity.

Mrs Mubarak, allow me to congratulate you on the achievements you have made in the recent years.  Your involvement towards greater women participation in politics is highly appreciated and merits our support.  Taking into consideration your involvement, I see in you an Ambassador of the Council of Europe campaign to be launched next Monday in Madrid against domestic violence and violence against women.  This is a campaign which is not only for the European sphere but which the Council of Europe and its Congress want to extend beyond its member states as much as it wishes that its campaign against such trafficking of persons be subscribed to by local authorities outside Europe.  In this respect, I urge local authorities outside Europe to unite in this campaign which aims to respect the well-being of individuals, a course which I am aware Mrs Mubarak has given the desired importance.

The participation of women in political life is another issue which is at the heart of the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.  The Congress does not accept delegations which have less than 20% representation of either sex, which we will be raised to 30% by next year.  Following the election of women as Heads of State in a number of European countries, the possibility of others shows the culture change following many years of promotion for the advancement of women.  This European success shall be a great courage to you Mrs Mubarak in your strive towards better participation.

I would like to thank once again Mrs Mubarak and Mr Ciampi for their achievement and their contribution to this cause, and I wish this Conference every success.

Thank you.