A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Harald Bergmann (Netherlands, ILDG) and Sören Schumacher (Germany, SOC/G/PD), has carried out a monitoring visit to Tallinn, as well as to the municipalities of Tartu, Jõgeva and Mustvee from 18 to 20 April 2023 to assess the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Estonia since the previous monitoring report adopted by the Congress in 2017. They were accompanied by Doctor Bríd Quinn, member of the Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Ireland).
The rapporteurs have had exchanges of views with representatives of the Ministry of Regional Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Parliament. The delegation has also met with the Mayor of Tallinn, Mihhail Kõlvart, the President of the Court of Audit, Janar Holm, and the judge at the Administrative Chamber of the State Court, Heiki Loot. In addition, a meeting has been held with Olari Koppel, Deputy Chancellor of Justice. The Congress delegation has also met with the members of the Estonian delegation to the Congress, representatives of the municipalities of Tartu, Jõgeva and Mustvee as well as the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities and the Association of Estonian Islands.
Contact: Guillaume Loiseau, Tel: +33 (0) 3 90 21 63 95
Estonia ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1994. Countries that have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires the respect of a minimum number of rights, which constitute the European basis for local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities ensures that these principles are respected. Estonia also ratified the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of local authorities in 2011.
