“We have gathered today to unite our powers to build better and responsible local authorities. Our three associations are sharing common goals and European values, and only if we work together we can make a real progress”, stated Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and President of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, while signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Presidents of the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) and of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM). The signature of the Memorandum “constitutes a movement towards strengthened co-operation between the facilitators of dialogue on local self-government in the region” stated Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. “It demonstrates the strong commitment to stand firmly at the forefront of local democracy, voicing for the interests of local authorities at national level”. Davit Jikia, President of NALAG acknowledged this step as key for building opportunities and partnerships. Tatiana Badan, President of CALM emphasised the “openness of the Congress and its support provided to the associations of local governments in pursuing successful reforms, for the benefit of citizens”.