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Halvdan Skard: “2007 was an important year for the Congress”

Strasbourg, 21.12.2007 - “The year 2007, which marked 50 years of the development of territorial democracy in Europe, saw important political changes for the Congress,” stated Congress President Halvdan Skard as the year ended. “The Congress began the year by setting its priorities for 2007-2008. The Committee of Ministers adopted a revised Charter of the Congress in recognition of its growing political role. Cooperation increased with associations of local authorities and their networks as well as with the EU Committee of the Regions, which are now more involved in Congress activities, including the observation of elections.

“The Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe, NALAS, and the Adriatic Euroregion, both supported by the Congress, have become fully operational, and significant progress was achieved in establishing the Black Sea Euroregion. Local Democracy Agencies and their Association have been expanding their activities, with a new Agency set up in Shkodra, Albania. The proposed draft Charter of Regional Democracy has gained further support, and consultations were launched on the draft Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

“The Congress is having more of its statutory meetings outside of Strasbourg, with the Autumn Session in Moscow in 2006, a Bureau meeting in Tromso, Norway, north of the Polar Circle, in 2007, and the Spring Session to be held in Malaga, Spain, in 2008. This gives the Congress a wider contact with the member countries and the political setting and perspectives in the area, and it gives these parts of Europe a better understanding of the Congress.

“Last but not least, the Congress has nearly completed the first cycle of monitoring local and regional democracy in its member states, and is revising the compliance procedure for member states to report on the implementation of Congress recommendations. In addition to the observation of elections, the Congress also discusses specific cases of potential non-conformity with the Charter of Local Self-Government, brought to its attention.

“All this allows me to look with optimism into the year 2008, a year when the Congress’ membership will be renewed, and the Congress will embark on a new stage in its journey. I wish you all a very good holiday season and Happy New Year!”