“Not many countries celebrate local self-government as a National Day. By doing so, and by launching an open discussion on decentralisation, Armenia demonstrates its commitment to bringing democracy to its local communities,” stressed Gudrun MOSLER-TÖRNSTRÖM, President of the Congress at the opening of the Forum on local democracy in Armenia, held in Yerevan, on 10 November 2017.

“The Territorial-Administrative Reform in Armenia, has been in progress for more than two years now, leading to changes in the country’s territorial structure,” she said underlining the positive results of the cooperation between the Congress and the Armenian authorities. She mentioned, in particular, the regular dialogue pursued through the Congress monitoring procedure, the cooperation activities in the field and the signature of a roadmap for the implementation of the Congress recommendations. “We see the law on local self-government, and related laws, in particular concerning local finances, as important steps in putting this roadmap into practice,” she added.

Congress President insisted on the importance of two crucial issues that are “part and parcel of the well-functioning local self-government”: the reform must include decentralisation of competences and finances to the local level and regular consultations between central and local authorities are required on the issues of common concern.

“The Congress remains a committed partner of Armenia closely engaged with the Armenian authorities in strengthening local democracy,” concluded Congress President.