During a stock-taking conference held on 28 September, 2015 in Yerevan, Juliana Hoxha (Albania, SOC), Vice-President of the Congress and Municipal Councillor in Tirana welcomed the activities undertaken by the Congress as part of the Council of Europe’s 'Strengthening local elected representatives’ leadership’” programme, especially the six workshops on leadership held between 2014 and 2015. These workshops brought together mayors, members of Congress and international experts, in order to encourage peer-to-peer exchanges. Mrs Hoxha also welcomed the organisation of regional seminars to promote dialogue between different levels of governance, which resulted in a 'Call to the government of Armenia' on improving local democracy in the country. “The Congress’s co-operation activities are implemented to give a practical response to the challenges encountered at grassroots level”, she reminded participants. Mrs Hoxha also praised the implementation of the new Action Plan for Armenia, recently adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. This plan, prepared in close co-operation with the Armenian authorities, highlights their commitment to strengthening local democracy, in accordance with the recommendation adopted by Congress in March 2014.
