Strasbourg, 10 April 2012                                                          CDLR(2012)12 FINAL

                                                                                                                       

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY

(CDLR)

ABRIDGED REPORT OF THE 49th MEETING

2 – 3 April 2012

1.        Opening of the meeting

The CDLR met in Strasbourg from 2-3 April 2012, with Mr Paul Rowsell, (United Kingdom) in the Chair. The list of participants appears at Appendix 1.

2.        Adoption of the agenda

The agenda as adopted appears at Appendix 2.

A.           ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OF THE GENERAL AIM OF THE CDLR TERMS OF REFERENCE – TO OVERSEE THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORK IN THE FIELD OF DEMOCRATIC LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNANCE AND ADVISE THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS ON ALL QUESTIONS WITHIN ITS AREA OF COMPETENCE

3.        Reports of the Bureau meetings on 9 December 2011 and 17 February             2012

The CDLR took note of Reports of the Bureau meetings on 9 December 2011 and 17 February  2012.

4.        Consideration of the CDLR's work by the Committee of Ministers

The Chair drew the attention of the CDLR to recent decisions of the CM which are of high relevance to the activities of the CDLR.

The Chair informed the Committee that he had addressed the GR-DEM meeting of 2 February 2012. In this connection he referred the members to his speech in the minutes of this GR-DEM meeting.

5.        Information on other Council of Europe bodies

The CDLR took note of the working document CDLR(2012)2 providing details about the activities of other CoE bodies and other relevant international organisations.

The representative of the CoE’s Conference of international NGOs provided information about the future activities of the Conference and requested that in future this information be included in the document ‘Information on other CoE bodies’ .

The Representative of PACE informed that following a recent reorganisation of Assembly Committees, matters related to local and regional democracy are dealt with by the Social Affairs Committee. A number of reports of relevance to the activities of the CDLR are being prepared. The preparatory work of these reports is carried out in partnership with the Congress and by contacting the CDLR.

The Committee welcomed Mr Keith Whitmore, President of the Congress, who spoke of the future cooperation with the CDLR, in line with the report presented by Minister Chaves at the Kyiv Conference, that Conference’s Declaration, and the approach envisaged in the draft proposals recently circulated by the UK Chairmanship. He stressed the importance of finding common ground on which to take the programme forward, and said that work on practical issues seemed the most relevant and feasible. 

Both the Congress President and CDLR chair agreed that the cooperation should start as soon as possible and that the work on the impact of the financial crisis at the local level and democratic participation should be priority areas, and looked to the Committee of Ministers expeditiously to give the necessary authorisation.

The CDLR agreed to request (with the support of the Congress President) the Committee of Ministers to authorise the CDLR to start work on the consequences of the economic crisis and strengthening citizen participation – two items highlighted in Mr Chaves’s proposals for an Agenda in Common - and develop appropriate synergies with the Congress.

6.        Priorities of the UK Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers

The Committee heard a presentation on and took note of the priorities of the UK Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, held an exchange of views on the subject and recognised that the CDLR has no particular remit or role to take any future action in this area. The UK delegation welcomed all comments and views expressed by CDLR members  and will continue to seek further views and opinions on its proposals from a wide range of actors.

7.        Appointment of a CDLR Rapporteur on Gender equality

In compliance with its terms of reference the CDLR appointed Mr Edwin Lefebre as  Rapporteur on Gender Equality and hoped that a female member of the Committee would also volunteer to act as co-rapporteur. It also agreed to add the gender dimension to its activities undertaken pursuant to its Terms of Reference.

8.        Intergovernmental work on democratic local governance -          Communications

The Secretariat gave a presentation of the communication activities having taken place since the last CDLR meeting. The Committee was also shown the recently produced video to promote decentralisation. 

It was agreed to send the Secretariat important local and regional twitter addresses (newspapers, associations, academics, etc), as well as consider appointing Communication correspondents in the member States currently not represented.

9.        CDLR work programme

The CDLR had an extensive discussion on its activities following the adoption of its new terms of reference. It decided to streamline its work programme to reflect the priorities and outcomes of the terms of reference.

With reference to document CDLR(2012)5, the following were agreed (also applies to items 11, 12, 13 and 14).

The modalities for providing comments as requested by the Committee of Ministers on PACE and Congress texts and on advising, at its own initiative, the Committee of Ministers on questions within the CDLR’s area of competence were agreed.

Regarding the possible follow-up to be given to the Report on the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the ECLSG, a distinction should be made between the follow-up to this report and the fundamentally important issue of the impact of EU decisions on local and regional government. While no further action on the former was envisaged, the latter could be the subject of an exchange of views at one of the forthcoming meetings of the committee, should one or more states so wish.

B.       ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OF ELEMENT I OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

           EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, VIEWS AND GOOD PRACTICES AMONG     MEMBERS

10.      Exchange of information and good practices on intergovernmental        issues concerning local and regional democracy and cross-border co -  operation

Strengthening the capacities of local authorities

The Dutch delegation assisted by experts made a presentation (to be circulated electronically to all delegations) of a software designed specifically for measuring performance and efficiency of local management, including local authorities. In the debate that followed, members discussed the benefits of the tool for sound management including political decisions at local level, compared experiences and showed interest for the Dutch experiment.

In conclusion, the Dutch delegation agreed to share the tool with interested delegations, while it was still being finalised. Once adopted, the tool could be added to those being promoted and made use of through the Centre of Expertise for Local Government Reform.

Local finance in times of crisis

The Estonian and Portuguese delegations introduced the debate on local finance in times of crisis focusing in particular on the sources of revenues, local taxes and borrowing by local authorities. Their presentations were followed by a discussion and an exchange of information regarding the situation in and solutions adopted by a number of states including Finland, Iceland, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and Slovenia.

In conclusion, the Secretariat will circulate electronically the questions raised by Estonia and Portugal to all delegations. Delegations can respond either by stating how issues are dealt with in their country, or by providing more general comments. Answers should be submitted by email to the Secretariat and copied to all CDLR members. Responses should be received by the beginning of July and on the basis of answers received a number of particularly pertinent issues could be subject to more in-depth discussions at the next CDLR meeting.

Citizens’ and local authorities’ consultation procedures

The Italian delegation reported on consultation procedures and practice in the process of deciding major infrastructural projects and the difficulties of implementing the decisions arrived at. The issues surrounding the interplay of local and supranational interests, as well as between national and European norms, generated an active exchange. The UK delegation agreed to circulate electronically a paper on recent changes in the country concerning this issue. The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations proposed to share experience in discussion with the Italian delegation.

In conclusion,  the Secretariat will circulate electronically the questions raised by Italy to all delegations. Delegations can respond either by stating how issues are dealt with in their country, or by providing more general comments. Answers should be submitted by email to the Secretariat and copied to all CDLR members. Responses should be received by the beginning of July and on the basis of answers received a number of particularly pertinent issues could be subject to more in-depth discussions at the next CDLR meeting.

11.      CDLR work programme

The modalities for holding topical exchanges of views at the CDLR meetings and via electronic means were agreeed.

As regards reports, their value as tools for facilitating the gathering and exchange of topical information electronically was stressed. The following modalities were agreed:

a.       Report on the implementation of the Additional Protocol to the European Charter     of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority

A Questionnaire regarding the state of ratification and implementation of the Additional Protocol should be circulated electronically to all CDLR delegations for possible answers by the end of June 2012.

b.       Report on low democratic participation, follow-up of the proposal from Rapporteur Mr Lefebre for CDLR to organise a workshop on low participation in early 2012

A workshop on reasons for low democratic participation and experimented measures aimed at overcoming it could be organised in early 2013 by Belgium, with result submitted to the CDLR in the second half of 2013.

c.       Structure and Operation reports

The Secretariat will propose a revised report structure (table of contents) easier to answer. This would be approved by the Committee via the written procedure by the end of summer (end of August). Member states are encouraged to use the new layout for updating their national reports already in 2012 so that new versions could be made available online as of 2013.

d.       Report on Structures for Transfrontier Co-operation

The 2006 version of the report will be circulated electronically to all delegations, with an explanatory note, requesting updating by 31 October 2012.

As regards the Manual on overcoming obstacles to transfrontier cooperation, the Secretariat will circulate to all delegations a note recalling the background information, the data already collected and available on this issue, highlighting the scope and modalities for drawing up the Manual and inviting suggestions for the person or body that could eventually draft the Manual. Replies would be sought by 30 June 2012.

As regards the report on initiatives to strenghten good governance, the Committee agreed with the proposed approach, namely that the Secretariat would circulate a one-page skeleton of what such a report, being a compilation of good practice, might cover, how it might be compiled, and how it might best be used.

C.        ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OF ELEMENT II OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

            RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FROM GOVERNMENTS FOR INFORMATION     ON SPECIFIC ISSUES

12.      CDLR work programme

The Committee agreed the modalities for holding workshops on topical issues and added the following to the list of topics suitable for such exchanges: the impact of EU decisions and policies on local governments, citizen participation, the impact of economic crisis on local government.

The Committee was reminded that the Council of Europe would not support the costs of organising workshops.

The Committee also agreed the modalities for the continuation of the Rapid Response Service and the drawing up of the Appendix to Protocol 3 to the Madrid Outline Convention.

D.        ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OF ELEMENT III OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

            FOLLOW THE WORK OF OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTORS IN THE FIELD OF       LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEMOCRACY AND CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION

13.      CDLR work programme

Following an exchange of views on the various actors it could follow, the CDLR instructed the Secretariat to draw up the list of actors proposed with justification for enhanced cooperation with them, in the light of the respective remits and agendas, in time for the next CDLR meeting. The actors should be listed in order of priority. Members were invited to provide information (by 30 June) as regards actors of which they are members or with which they have a working relationship. The Secretariat could also conduct appropriate consultations.

At its next meeting, the CDLR will discuss the Secretariat document with a view to agreeing on a report to be submitted to the Committee of Ministers before the end of 2012.

E.        ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OF ELEMENT IV OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

            PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY IN APPROPRIATE BODIES WITHIN THE       COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND, SUBJECT TO INVITATION AND AVAILABLE   FINANCIAL MEANS, OTHER RELEVANT AND APPROPRIATE FORA

14.      CDLR Work programme

The CDLR agreed to the representatives as designated for an indefinite period of time. The representatives are as follows:

-        Mrs Greta Billing (Norway) for the Advisory Board of the Centre of Expertise on Local Government Reform;

-        Mr Paul-Henri Philips (Belgium) and Mrs Greta Billing (Norway) for the Stakeholders’ Platform on the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level;

-        Mr Paul-Henri Philips (Belgium) for the Coordination platform of the European Local Democracy Week (ELDW).

The CDLR also approved the modalities for accepting invitations to be represented in events which are of relevance to its activities.

15.      Centre of expertise on Local government reform and co-operation programmes

The CDLR took note of the information provided and expressed support for the Centre’s programme in 2012. It encouraged member states to have recourse to it for their own  capacity building initiatives, peer reviews and legislative assistance, as well as contributing resources and expertise to the Centre. Members were reminded that they could channel national funds aimed at international cooperation and assistance through the Centre.

16.      Strategy for Innovation and good governance at local level

The Committee noted the latest developments in the promotion and dissemination of the Strategy. It was pleased to hear that in Norway municipalities could be granted the Label of excellence in local governance in the second quarter of this year.

17.      European Local Democracy week

The CDLR was informed of the themes and modalities of the ELDW for 2012-2013. It noted with satisfaction that this initiative, which it launched in 2007, is taking roots and spreading to an increasing number of member states with the active support of the Congress.

18.      Appointment of CDLR Rapporteur(s) to the Stakeholders' Network of the        CoE strategy on the "Rights of the Child"

The Head of the Unit “Building a Europe for and with children”, Regina Jensdottir gave a presentation of the unit’s activities. She emphasised that on account of its intergovernmental work at the local level, the CDLR was seen as an essential partner for the unit’s work. It was agreed that delegations could make nominations for the rapporteur functions by 30 April 2012. The Bureau will validate the appointment.

The rapporteur would liaise between the Platform and the CDLR. His/her role would be to map out the local and regional dimension of key standards being used and promoting the sharing of experiences, including at conferences and other meetings.

F.         ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OF ELEMENT V OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

            FOLLOW-UP TO ANY DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS             SUBSEQUENT TO THE 17TH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE         CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL        GOVERNMENT (KYIV, 3-4 NOVEMBER 2011)

19.      CDLR work programme

Pending the Committee of Ministers’ decisions on the follow-up to the Kyiv Conference, the Committee was informed of recent developments as concerns the impact of economic crisis on local government.

Professor Ken Davey (Open Society Foundations) recalled the findings of the survey conducted between 2009 and 2011 and culminating at the Kyiv conference to the Kyiv Guidelines. He illustrated the most recent responses to the crisis at both central and local governments’ level in member states and stressed the need to keep following the developments that were taking place in order for the Committee to be able to provide adequate policy advice.

The Committee was informed that the Congress is preparing a report on this subject, following the ministerial debates at Kyiv, the discussions at the recent Congress plenary and having regard to the changing circumstances that States and local and regional authorities are facing. It was noted that this would warrant the coordinated action as envisaged in the Chaves Report to be undertaken in the Agenda in Common.

Professor Davey explained that in order for him to successfully undertake the work and produce the outputs sought by the Congress he would need government departments’ through their CDLR representatives to supply information through an agreed questionnaire about the financial position in their states. It was noted that given the current terms of reference the CDLR would need authorisation by the CM before undertaking this work on agreeing the questionnaire.

The Committee welcomed the publication, with OSF funding, of a book presenting the report to the Kyiv conference, the Kyiv Declaration and Guidelines and other Council of Europe reference texts and wished that the partnership with OSF could continue.

The Secretariat will liaise with the Congress Secretariat in order to promote the book and make the Kyiv guidelines known and used by member states and local authorities alike.

G.        OTHER MATTERS

20.      Recent developments in member States

The representative of Switzerland informed the Committee of their recent ratification of Protocol No 3 to the Madrid Outline Convention.

21.      Other business

None.

22.      Date of the next meeting

The date of next meeting will be decided based on a proposal by the Bureau at a later stage.

The Committee thanked Yvonne Mangold for her dedicated service to the Committee for the last 20 years, in view of her impending retirement in 2012.

23.      Adoption of the abridged meeting report

The CDLR adopted the abridged meeting report.

APPENDIX 1

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

MEMBERS / MEMBRES

CHAIRMAN / PRESIDENT

Mr Paul ROWSELL, Deputy Director, Democracy, Department for Communities and Local Government, 3/J1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, LONDON SW1E 5DU, GB

Tel: (44) 303 44 42568; E-mail: [email protected]

AUSTRIA / AUTRICHE

Mr Stefan UMNIG, Ministry of the Interior – III/2, Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 169, A - 1030 WIEN

Tel: (43) 1 53126 5385 ; Fax: (43) 1 53126 5569; E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Patricia Sylvia BUKOVACZ, Vienna City Administration, Chief Executive Office, Rathaus, A – 1082 VIENNA

Tel: (43) 1 4000 82343; E-mail: [email protected]

AZERBAIJAN / AZERBAÏDJAN

Mr Habib YUSIFOV, Head of Department on Administrative Supervision, Centre of work with municipalities, Ministry of Justice, 1 Inshaatchilar avenue, 370073 BAKU

Tel: (99412)  597 04 38; Fax: (99412) 596 34 08; E-mail: [email protected]

BELGIUM / BELGIQUE

M. Paul-Henri PHILIPS, Adjoint du Directeur Général, Administration des pouvoirs locaux, Ministère de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, 20, B – 1035 BRUXELLES

Tel : (32) 2 800 32 77; Cel-phone: (32) 499 58 81 05; Fax :(32) 2 800 38 00;

E-mail : [email protected]

Mme Annie BIEFNOT-VANBOTERDAL, Directeur général, Chargée de mission auprès du Gouvernement Wallon, 18/19 Rue de la Seuwe, 7000 MONS

Tél: (32) (0) 65 22 06 84; Fax: (32) (0) 65 22 06 99; cel-phone : (32) 475 46 79 38 ;

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Edwin LEFEBRE, Deputy of the Director, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Flemish Region, Agency for Home Affairs, Boudewijnlaan 30, B - 1000 BRUSSELS

Tel : (32) 2 553 40 16; Fax :(32) 2 553 39 52; E-mail : [email protected]

M. Xavier KALBUSCH, Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft, Gospert 1, 4700 EUPEN

Tél : (32) (0)87 59 63 00 ; Fax : (32) (0)87 55 28 91 ;

E-mail : [email protected]; [email protected]

BULGARIA / BULGARIE

Mrs Zornitsa HADZHIDIMITROVA-GEORGIEVA, Senior expert, Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, 17-19 St. Kiril I Metodii Str., 1202 SOFIA;

Tel : +(359) 2 9405 223, 224 ; E-mail: [email protected]

CROATIA / CROATIE

Mrs Miroslava-Nina MIŠKOVIĆ, Head of Independent Division for International Cooperation, Ministry of Public Administration, Maksimirska 63, 10000 ZAGREB

Tel: (385) 1 2357 532; Fax: (385) 1 2357 609; E-mail: [email protected]

CYPRUS / CHYPRE

Mr Georgios ANTONIADES, Famagusta District Officer

Tel: (357) 24801002; Fax: (357) 24304168; E-mail: [email protected]

CZECH REPUBLIC / REPUBLIQUE TCHEQUE

Mr Petr FEJTEK, Department for Public Administration, Unit for Conceptions in Public Administration, Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic, nám. Hrdinů 3, 140 21 Praha 4
Tel.: + 420 974 816 267; Fax: + 420 974 916 632; E-mail: [email protected]

DENMARK / DANEMARK

                                

Mr Jesper LORENZ GRADERT, Head of Section, Ministry of Economics and the Interior, Slotsholmsgade 10-12, 1216, COPENHAGEN K

Tel: (45) 7228 2524; E-mail: [email protected]

ESTONIA / ESTONIE

Mr Kaur KAASIK-AASLAV, Adviser to the Local Government and Regional Administration Department, Ministry of the Interior, Pikk 61, TALLINN, 15065

Tel: (372) 612 5136; E-mail:[email protected]

FINLAND / FINLANDE

Mr Arto LUHTALA, Ministerial Councelor, Department for Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Finance, PO Box 28, FIN – 00023 GOVERNMENT

Tel: (358) 40 830 9194; E-mail: [email protected]

FRANCE

Mme Marie-Christine BERNARD-GELABERT, Chef du Bureau des structures territoriales, Direction Générale des Collectivités locales, Ministère de l'Intérieur, 1 bis, place des Saussaies, F - 75800 PARIS

Tel: (33) 40 07 23 08 ; Fax: (33) 01 49 27 49 79 ;

E-mail: [email protected]

GEORGIA / GEORGIE

Mr Giorgi DIDIDZE, Deputy Head, Department of Reforms and Innovations, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, 12 Kazbegi, TBILISI 0160

Tel: (995) 577 112 145; E-mail: [email protected]

GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE

Mr Gottfried KONZENDORF, Federal Ministry of the Interior, Head of Division 02, Local Government Affairs, Alt Moabit 101d, D- 10559 BERLIN

Tel: (49) 30 18 681 2137; Fax: (49) 30 18 681 5 1431;

E-mail: [email protected]

GREECE / GRECE

Mrs Isidora PETROPOULOU, Deputy to the Permanent Representative, Permanent Representation of Greece, 21 place Broglie, 67000 STRASBOURG

Tel: 33 3 88 32 88 18; E-mail: [email protected]

HUNGARY / HONGRIE

Mrs Viktória ZÖLD-NAGY, Deputy State Secretary for Territorial Public Administration Development, Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, Kossuth Square 2-4, 1055 – BUDAPEST

Tel: +361 795 4905; Fax: +361 795 0121 Email: [email protected]

ICELAND / ISLANDE

Mrs Stefania TRAUSTADOTTIR, Ministry of the Interior, Sölvhólsgata 7, 150 REYKJAVIK

Tel: (354) 545 9000; Fax: (354) 552 7340; E-mail: [email protected]

IRELAND / IRLANDE

Mr Denis CONLAN, Head of Local Government Development, Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Custom House, EI – DUBLIN

Tel: (353 1) 888 2186; E-mail: [email protected]

ITALY / ITALIE

Mr Francesco GIUSTINO, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, D.A.R. - Ufficio Attività Internazionali, ROMA

Tel. +39.06.6779.5130; E-mail: [email protected]

LATVIA / LETTONIE

Ms Marta BERGMANE, Legal Counsel, Local government monitoring department, Ministry of Environmental protection and Regional development, Peldu street 25, LV – 1494 RIGA

Tel : (371) 6777 0463; Fax: (371) 67770479; E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs Fatma FRIDENBERGA, Riga City Council Legal Office, Ratslaukums 1, LV - 1539 RIGA

Tel: (371) 6 7026022; Fax: (371) 6 7026326; E-mail: [email protected]

LIECHTENSTEIN

Apologised for absence / excusé

LITHUANIA / LITUANIE

Mr Paulius SKARDŽIUS, Director of Public Governance Policy Department, Ministry of the Interior, Šventaragio Str. 2, LT - 01510 VILNIUS, LITHUANIA

Tel: (370) 5 271 7071; Fax: (370) 5 271 8915; E-mail: [email protected]

LUXEMBOURG

Mme Christiane LOUTSCH-JEMMING, Conseiller de Gouvernement 1^ère classe, Ministère de l’Intérieur et à la Grande Région, 19 rue Beaumont, L – 1219 Luxembourg

Tél : (352) 247 84615 ;  Fax : (352) 26 20 26 93 ; E-mail : [email protected]

MALTA / MALTE

Mr Adrian MIFSUD, Local Government, Department for Local Government, Office of the Prime Minister, 26 Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT1443

E-mail: [email protected]

MOLDOVA

Mme Victoria CUJBA, Chef adjoint, Direction des politiques de décentralisation, Chancellerie d’Etat, 1, Piaţa Marii Adunări Naţionale, MD – 2033 CHISINAU

Tel: (373) 22 250 580 / (373) 69480105; E-mail: [email protected]

MONACO

Apologised for absence / excusé

NETHERLANDS/ PAYS-BAS

Mr Tom LEEUWESTEIN, Head of Europe and Local and Regional Governance Unit, Directorate General for Governance and Kingdom Relations, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, P.O Box 20011, NL - 2500 EA THE HAGUE

Tel: (31) 70 426 6468; Fax : (31) 70 426 7655 ; E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Auke van der GOOT, Senior Adviser, Europe and Local and Regional Governance Unit, Directorate-General for Governance and Kingdom Relations, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, P.O Box 20011, NL - 2500 EA THE HAGUE

Tel: (31) 70 426 7386; Fax: (31) 70 426 7655; E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Susanne CAARLS, Senior Adviser, Directorate of Public Sector Labour Affairs, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, P.O Box 20011, NL - 2500 EA THE HAGUE

Tel: (31) 70 426 7084; E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Cees van der ZWAN, Senior Adviser, ICTU Foundation, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, P.O Box 20011, NL - 2500 EA THE HAGUE

Tel: (31) 6 5154 0800; E-mail: [email protected]

NORWAY / NORVEGE

Mrs Nina Britt BERGE, Senior Adviser, Department of Local Government, The Royal Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Postbox 8112 DEP, N - 0032 OSLO

Tel: (47) 22 24 72 55; Mobile: (47) 99 72 43 14; Fax: (47) 22 24 27 35;

E-mail: [email protected]

POLAND / POLOGNE

Mr Andrzej TRZESIARA, Deputy Director, Department for Co-operation with Local Governments, Ministry of Administration and Digitalization, PL – 00-505 WARSZAWA

E-mail: [email protected]

PORTUGAL

Mr Rui Pedro Viveiros Pereira DIAS, Direction Générale des Collectivités Locales, Rua José Estevão, 137-7°, P – 1169-058 LISBOA

Tel : (351) 213 133 000; E-mail: [email protected]

ROMANIA / ROUMANIE

Mrs Raluca HEREPEAN, Manager Public, Ministry of Administration and Interior, Directorate General for Local Communities

Tel: 40 021 316 59 73; E-mail: [email protected]

RUSSIAN FEDERATION / FEDERATION DE RUSSIE

Ms Elena KODINA, Head of the Department for Development of Regions and Municipalities, Ministry of Regional Development, Sadovaya-Samotechnaya Street 10/23, 127994 MOSCOW

E-mail: [email protected]

SAN MARINO / SAINT-MARIN

Apologised for absence / excusé

SERBIA / SERBIE

Mr Saša MOGIĆ, Deputy Minister, Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Bircaninova 6, 11000 BELGRADE, Republic of Serbia

Tel. +381 11 361 64 32; Fax:+ 381 11 268 53 96; E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs Milica MARKOVIC, Advisor in the Sector for Local Self-Government, Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Bircaninova 6, 11000 BELGRADE, Republic of Serbia

Tel. +381 11 264 53 57; Fax:+ 381 11 268 53 96;

E-mail: [email protected]

SLOVAK REPUBLIC / REPUBLIQUE SLOVAQUE

Mrs Eva CHMELOVA, Adjointe du Directeur Général, Section de l'Administration Publique (Directeur du Département d'Organisation) Ministère de l'Intérieur de la République slovaque, Drieňová 22, 826 86 BRATISLAVA

Tél : + (421) 2 43 33 86 60; Fax: + (421) 2 43 33 42 28;

E-mail: [email protected]

SLOVENIA / SLOVENIE

Mr Roman LAVTAR, Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, Župančičeva 3, 1000 LJUBLJANA, Slovenia

Tel: + 386 1 32 01 630; Fax: + 386 1 32 01 633; E-mail: [email protected]

SPAIN / ESPAGNE

Ms Paqui SANTONJA, Special Adviser, Directorate General for Regional Cooperation, Ministry of Finances and Public Admnistrations, MADRID

Tel: (34) 91 273 46 59; Fax: (34) 91 273 46 10; E-mail: [email protected]

SWEDEN / SUEDE

Mr Johan HÖÖK, Director, Division for Local Government Affairs, Ministry of Finance, S - 103 33 STOCKHOLM

Tel: (46) 8 405 3798; Fax: (46) 206 196; E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Henrik KÄLLSBO, Division for Local Government Affairs, Ministry of Finance, S - 103 33 STOCKHOLM

Tel: (46) 8 405 43 50; Fax: (46) 206 196; E-mail: [email protected]

SWITZERLAND / SUISSE

Dr Robert BAUMANN, Responsable du Service du Fédéralisme/Responsible for the Service of Federalism, Office fédéral de la Justice, Bundesrain 20, CH – 3003 BERNE

Tél : (41) 31 322 41 61 ; Fax : (41) 31 322 84 01 ;

E-mail : [email protected]

TURKEY / TURQUIE

Mr Ilker HAKTANKACMAZ, Head of the International Funding Unit, Directorate General of Local Authorities, Ministry of the interior, Devlet Mahallesi Inönü Bulvari No. 4 Bakanliklar – 06644 ANKARA

Tel: +90 312 419 07 81; Fax: +90 312 425 17 91;

E-mail: [email protected]

UKRAINE

Mr Andriy GUK, Head of Department, State Foundation for Local  Self-Government in Ukraine, L.Ukrainka bld. 26, Building A, KIYV 01133, UKRAINE

Tel: 380 44 223 68 10 ; Fax: 380 44 286 37 81; E-mail: [email protected]

UNITED KINGDOM / ROYAUME-UNI

Mr Terry WILLOWS, Future of Local Audit and Democratic Local Governance (International), Department for Communities and Local Government, 3/J1 Eland House, Bressenden Place, LONDON SW1E 5DU

Tel: +44 (0)303 44 42570; E-mail: [email protected]

PARTICIPANTS

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY / ASSEMBLEE PARLEMENTAIRE

Sir Alan MEALE, Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Mrs Maren LAMBRECHT-FEIGL, Secretary to the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development

Tel: (33) 3 90 21 47 78; Fax: (33) 3 90 21 56 49; E-mail: [email protected]

CONGRESS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE / CONGRES DES POUVOIRS LOCAUX ET REGIONAUX DU CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE

Mr Keith WHITMORE, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

of the Council of Europe, 28 Scarisbrick Road, Levenshulme, GB - M19 2BS-MANCHESTER
Tel. (44) 161 234 3002. Fax (44) 161 234 3296;

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Andreas KIEFER, Secretary General / Secrétaire Général

Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 22 48; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 51;

E-mail : [email protected]

M. Jean-Philippe BOZOULS, Head of Department I – Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Local Authorities / Chef du Service I – Secrétaire exécutif de la Chambre des pouvoirs locaux

Tel: (33) 3.88.41.20.07; Fax: (33) 3.88.41.27.51;  E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Renate ZIKMUND, Head of Communication and election observation

Mr Tim LISNEY, Deputy Secretary of the Chamber of Local Authorities / Secrétaire adjoint de la Chambre des pouvoirs locaux – Secretary of the Governance Committee / Secrétaire de la Commission de la gouvernance

Tel: (33) 3.88.41.35.73; Fax: (33) 3.88.41.27.51;  E-mail: [email protected]

Mrs Nichola HOWSON, co-secretary to the Governance Committee / co-secrétaire de la Commission de la gouvernance

Tel: (33) 3.88.41.22.39; Fax: (33) 3.88.41.27.51;  E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Sedef CANOKAK, Co-Secretary of the Monitoring Committee

CONFERENCE OF INGOS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE / CONFERENCE DES OING DU CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE

Mme Anne-Marie CHAVANON, Présidente de la Commission démocratie, cohésion sociale et enjeux mondiaux, IAU, 15, rue Falguière, 75015 PARIS

Tél. (33) 1 77 49 76 80, (33) 6 60 76 86 14; E-mail: [email protected]

OTHER PARTICIPANTS / AUTRES PARTICIPANTS

HOLY-SEE / SAINT-SIEGE

Maître Marc LEYENBERGER, Avocat honoraire au Barreau de Strasbourg, 26, rue Aubry et Rau, 67000 STRASBOURG

Tel: (33) (0)3 88 41 14 94; E-mail: [email protected]

BENELUX UNION/UNION BENELUX

Mr Hans MOOREN, Administrateur, Union Benelux, Rue de la Régence 39, 1000 Bruxelles

Tel: 32-2-519 38 43; E-mail: [email protected]

OBSERVERS / OBSERVATEURS

ASSEMBLY OF EUROPEAN REGIONS (AER) / ASSEMBLEE DES REGIONS D'EUROPE (ARE)

M. le Professeur Charles RICQ, Directeur du Centre d'Observation Européen des Régions (COEUR), Professeur à l’Université de Genève, Chemin de la Renardière, CH - 1272 GENOLIER (Genève)

Tel: (41) 22 366 40 66; Fax: (41) 22 366 40 65; E-mail: [email protected]

Mme Agnès CICCARONE, Responsable du Comité Permanent, Affaires Institutionnelles, 6 rue Oberlin, 67000 STRASBOURG

Tél : (33) (0)388 227 432 ; E-mail : [email protected]

(Apologised for absence / excusée)

ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN BORDER REGIONS (AEBR) / ASSOCIATION DES REGIONS FRONTALIERES EUROPEENNES (ARFE)

Mme Silvia BANCOD, Chargée de Recherches au sein de l’Université du Val d’Aoste et du CŒUR, Conseiller national de la SIOI (Société Italienne des Organisations Internationales)

Tel : (39) 0165 066700 ; Fax : (39) 0165 066749 ; E-mail : [email protected]

OFFICE FOR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS (ODIHR) / BUREAU DES INSTITUTIONS DEMOCRATIQUES ET DES DROITS DE L'HOMME

Mr Thomas VENNEN, Head of Democratization Department, OSCE/ODIHR, Ul. Miodowa 10, 00-251 WARSAW, Poland

Tel: + 48-22 520 06 00; Fax: + 48-22 520 06 05; E-mail: [email protected]

COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONS (CEMR) / CONSEIL DES COMMUNES ET REGIONS D’EUROPE (CCRE)

Mr Boris TONHAUSER, Policy Officer, Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Square de Meeûs, 1, B – 1000 BRUXELLES, BELGIUM

Tel: (32) 2 500 05 39 ; Fax: (32) 2 511 09 49; E-mail : [email protected]

EXPERT-CONSULTANT / CONSULTANT-EXPERT

Prof. Ken DAVEY, Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI), Haymesbrook - Haymes Drive, Cleeve Hill – Cheltenham GL52 3QQ, UK

Tel : +44 (0) 124 25 26 232; E-Mail: [email protected]

SECRETARIAT

Mr Alfonso ZARDI, Head of Democracy, Institution-Building and Governance Department/ Chef du Service de la démocratie, du renforcement des institutions et de la gouvernance - Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, de la culture et de la diversité, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie

Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 39 06; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84; E-mail : [email protected]

Mr Thomas ZANDSTRA, Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, de la culture et de la diversité, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie

Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 52 30; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;

E-mail: [email protected]

Ms Lilit NIKOGHOSYAN, Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, de la culture et de la diversité, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie

Tel : +33 (0)3 88 41 35 04; Fax : +33 (0)3 88 41 27 84;

E-mail : [email protected]

Ms Siobhán MONTGOMERY, Communication, Directorate of Democratic Governance, Culture and Diversity / Direction de la gouvernance démocratique, de la culture et de la diversité, Directorate General of Democracy / Direction générale de la démocratie

Tel: (33) 3 88 41 24 14; Fax: (33) 3 88 41 27 84; E-mail: [email protected]

Mme Isabelle ETTER, Mme Yvonne MANGOLD - Secretariat / Secrétariat

***

Mrs Regina JENSDOTTIR, Head of Division and Programme Co-ordinator / Chef de Division et et Coordinatrice du Programme – Children’s Rights / Droits des enfants - Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law / Direction générale des droits de l’homme et de l’état de droit

Tel : (33) 3 88 41 22 25 ; Fax : (33) 3 88 41 52 85 ; E-mail : [email protected]

APPENDIX 2

AGENDA