21^st Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

30 years after the Madrid Convention: Congress to set new priorities for transfrontier co-operation in Europe

Strasbourg, 18.10.2011 - Karl-Heinz Lambertz, Belgium, President of the Association of  European Border Regions and Chairman of the Congress Governance Committee marked today, in the frame of the 21^st Congress Session, the achievements of the Framework Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation, signed in Madrid, which entered into force 30 years ago, in 1981. Transfrontier co-operation between territorial authorities so as to promote democratic stability and good neighbour relations between states and territorial authorities remains a fundamental political mission of the Council of Europe, Mr Lambertz stated.

He emphasized also the Congress’ role in transfrontier co-operation, particularly its active support for the creation of the Adriatic and Black Sea Euroregions.  Last year Congress also signed an agreement with the Association of Border Regions on joint future actions. On 3 and 4 November 2011, at their 17^th Conference in Kyiv, European Ministers of Local and Regional Authorities are due to adopt a declaration on lifting obstacles to transfrontier co-operation – Congress has been in consultation. The Governance Committee of Congress, and its President Lambertz, will use this occasion to define the new priorities of the Congress 30 years after the Madrid Convention.