Note to editors

Congress President and Russian Vice-Minister for Regional Development to give a press conference on local and regional democracy in Russia

Strasbourg, 16.11.2007 – Congress President Halvdan Skard and Russian Vice-Minister for Regional Development Vitaly Shipov will hold a press conference on Tuesday 20 November at 3.30 pm in Room 2 of the Palais de l’Europe.

The press conference will follow the debate on Russia’s compliance with Congress Recommendation 143 (2004) on local and regional democracy in the Russian Federation, as part of the Congress’ Autumn Session (Strasbourg, 19-21 November 2007).

In 2004, the Congress noted the progress made in Russia in carrying out reform of local and regional self-government, development of local democracy and federalism. Congress recommendations focused on local financial resources and municipal property, delegation of state powers and administrative supervision, legal protection, foreigner’s participation in public life, as well as the concept of regional sovereignty, federal supervision of regional self-government, and apportionment of powers, among others.

On the occasion of the debate, Governor of Novosibirsk Viktor Tolokonsky will also address the session.

The debate will be held on Tuesday 20 November at 2.30 pm in Room1 of the Palais de l’Europe and will be open to the press. It will also be broadcast live on internet www.coe.int.

Link to the Recommendation 143(2004) on local and regional democracy in the Russian Federation

For more information: www.coe.int/congress-session

Contact:

Dmitri Marchenkov, Head of the Congress’ Communication Unit

Tel. +33 3 88 41 38 44, mobile +33 6 75 65 03 49, Email: [email protected]

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