Bringing the people of Armenia and Georgia closer together based on shared principles and common heritage which transcend boundaries is the key objective of the 2nd Stage of the Leadership Academy for Cross-border Cooperation for local authorities of the bordering regions of Armenia and Georgia which will take place in Akhaltsikhe (Georgia) 17-19 October 2022.

The Leadership Academy Programme, implemented in the context of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia, will be opened by Mzia GIORGOBIANI, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, and Vache TERTERYAN, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia. This capacity-building workshop for Mayors and senior officials will examine the current legal framework in both jurisdictions; help develop capacities and define possible measures to overcome obstacles to cross-border cooperation in line with the conclusions of the Budapest Conference of the Council of Europe. A delegation from the regional authorities in Armenia and Georgia will also participate.

The Academy has been developed by the Council of Europe’s Centre of Expertise for Good Governance and will be implemented in several stages on alternating sides of the border with the objective of deepening knowledge, developing networks, and supporting the establishment of cooperation mechanisms. Nathalia VOUTOVA and Martina SCHMIDT, Head of Council of Europe Offices in Tbilisi and Yerevan will also participate in this activity.