Hovik Abrahamyan proposes a transfrontier co-operation forum for the southern Caucasus

26.05.2004 - Hovik Abrahamyan gave the Congress an overview of Armenia's system of territorial administration and local self-government. The Armenian Minister for Territorial Administration welcomed the Congress’ support, thanks to which a legislative framework for local self-government already existed in Armenia. He described the introduction of a system of local self-government as ''a key milestone in the process of constructing statehood, decentralising public administration, and democratisation''.

He said that his country was now moving steadily towards the prospect of regional self-government, and that Armenia supported the idea of a European declaration on regional self-government. The Minister also proposed that a permanent forum of local and regional authorities of the southern Caucasus be set up under the auspices of the Council of Europe. This would serve as a mechanism for dialogue in the context of transfrontier co-operation, he said.

Speech