Interview – 29.09.2010

Roland Ries: “Strasbourg is strongly committed to the Congress’ programmes and activities”

As the host city of the Council of Europe and the Congress, Strasbourg is also a pilot city in terms of European policies.  While putting the programmes developed by the two bodies into practice at local level, it seeks to lead the way in the areas of citizen participation and cross-border co-operation, says its mayor, Roland Ries, in an interview.

Question: A few weeks ago, you announced Strasbourg’s willingness to step up its involvement in European Local Democracy Week (ELDW), with “12-star city” status.  What specific activities will the city be conducting during ELDW?

Roland Ries: This year we are inviting all the city’s residents to practise democracy at our “agora” on Strasbourg’s main square (place Kléber).  We are also exploring the field of “borderless” participatory democracy through various initiatives, including the 8th meeting of the Strasbourg Club on the reception and integration of Roma communities and foreign residents in towns and cities.  Citizens will be able to use an interactive website to voice their expectations about the services which the Eurodistrict could offer them.  We shall also be starting national and international activities with the Strasbourg Club and the bodies representing foreign residents in France and elsewhere in Europe which will be meeting in Strasbourg on this occasion.  Overall, around 30 activities are planned.

Question: How is the co-operation between French and German local elected representatives in the Strasbourg-Ortenau Eurodistrict developing, and what do you plan to do to enhance the co-operation and also involve citizens more closely in the decision-making processes?

Roland Ries: The establishment of a European grouping of territorial co-operation (EGTC) in February was an important stage in enhancing the co-operation.  In addition, alongside the bureau and the council, we are going to set up thematic committees of councillors to back up the work of relevant groups of experts with a view to improving daily life in the Eurodistrict.  There is also a specific committee involving Strasbourg and its German neighbour, Kehl, with joint meetings of the municipal councils.

The first cross-border participatory platform is to be launched in a month’s time.  People will be able to express their views about the Eurodistrict, voice their concerns and suggest improvements and other ideas. This key stage in developing the pioneering district will be enhanced by direct contacts with elected representatives through online chats.  The outcome of the exchanges will be fed into the development plan for the Eurodistrict which will be drawn up shortly.

Question: In 2009, you gave the Congress details of a co-operation project involving local elected representatives from Strasbourg and their counterparts from several countries in south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus, which focused on training and democracy.  What are the latest developments here and how does the project operate?

Roland Ries: During ELDW 2009, my deputy responsible for international and European relations, Nawel RAFIK-ELMRINI, held a round table with the Association of Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA) on the subject of “Cross-border and inter-regional co-operation: what role do citizens play?”  These discussions with our counterparts from Subotica (Serbia) and the Euro-Caucasus Region involving Armenia and Georgia showed us that we are faced with common challenges and that we can learn a lot from our respective initiatives.

The round table tied in with the exchanges between elected representatives which have taken place since 2003 within the Strasbourg Club, an informal network of 38 capital cities and regional urban centres established to back up the enlargement of the European Union to the countries of central and eastern Europe.  The network seeks to put European fundamental values into practice in local public policies conducted by towns and cities, in close co-operation with the Council of Europe.  It is open to any European town or city wishing to share its experience of the relevant subjects.  The next meeting is due to be held on 14 and 15 October 2010, during ELDW.

Question:  As the host city of the Council of Europe and the Congress, is Strasbourg planning to promote any other of their activities at local level – like, for instance, the campaign against domestic violence – and, if yes, which ones?

Roland Ries: Strasbourg is strongly committed to the two institutions’ policies and programmes.  This was demonstrated recently by the signing of a partnership agreement with the Council of Europe on 7 May.  Strasbourg is one the pilot cities of the Council of Europe’s European Label of Good Governance at Local Level, a tool developed by the Council to reward European cities for their commitment to the 12 fundamental principles of the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level.

We also co-operate with the Council of Europe and the Congress in improving the reception and integration of Roma communities and foreign residents at local level.  In addition, the City of Strasbourg has joined the CLIP (Cities for Local Integration Policy) network set up by the Congress and is actively involved in it.

Lastly, on the 60th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights on 4 November, we will be joining with our partner cities in holding a youth seminar under the “Hurry up!” European project and will be supporting various activities at local level.