Congress supports consultations in Albania

Lezha (Albania), 28 April 2016

On 27 and 28 April 2016, the Congress organised two roundtables in Fier and Lezha to consult with the Albanian Mayors, Heads of the Region and local governance associations on the preparation of a draft Council of Ministers’ decree establishing the Local and Central Government Council following the enactment of Law No. 139/2015. In effect, seventeen Municipalities and eight regions directly contributed to these initial consultations. The Congress supports consultation as a vital feature of the decentralisation process in Albania.

Discussions and agreements were made on equal representation of local and central government in the consultative council and opinions provided, on a consensual basis, on the draft laws and policies impacting municipalities and regions of Albania. Congress member Majlinda Bufi (Albania, SOC) shared the lessons learnt from a study visit organised within the project in Latvia. By making reference to the structure of the Latvian national association, its role in advocacy and in budgetary negotiations, she stressed the importance of jointly addressing the central government and of setting-up constructive dialogue between stakeholders to enable effective local democracy and decentralisation. She noted that Based on outcomes of the roundtables, the Congress will submit a draft decree to the government of Albania on 9 May 2016.

The roundtables were organised within the framework of the project “Strengthening local government structures and co-operation of local elected representatives in Albania - Phase II, Line of Action II: Building a sustainable, pluralistic and unified platform of dialogue for local government in Albania” implemented by the Congress of Local andRegional Authorities, with financial support provided by the Government of Switzerland.

Albania joined the Council of Europe in 1995 and ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 2000. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter imposes compliance with a minimum number of rights, which are the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe ensures respect for these principles.