Following approval by PM Pashinyan of the Concept of Decentralisation policy paper – putting respect for the European Charter of Local Self-Government at the heart of the process – more than 50 stakeholders from central and local government, civil society, and the international community gathered to discuss the core concepts to be addressed in a new law on Local Self- Government to be prepared

Mr Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure,  opened the discussion by recognising the need to set ambitious goals in reviewing the local government system.  In thanking the Council of Europe for walking side by side with Armenia from the outset in support of local government, he noted that changes to the legal framework should be substantive, not formalistic to reflect the impact of recent amalgamation reforms.

The lively and animated debate touched on the fundamentals of good democratic governance – from the formation of local self-government bodies; the relations between Mayors and Councils; supervision of local authority action; democratic accountability of elected representatives and bodies; and the need to ensure effective mechanisms for civil participation in in local democratic life.

Several participants acknowledged the importance of opportunities such as these Community Consultation Initiatives organised by the Council of Europe. Stakeholder contribution to the reform of legal framework is crucial to ensure local ownership and future implementation of the reform in line with Art.4 par.6 of the European Charter on Local Self-Government which provides for the consultation of local authorities in matters that concern them directly.

One participant stressed the importance of ensuring laws and policies are gender sensitive; others highlighted the need to keep the law simple and strategic; several underlined the importance of improving the status of community servants and establishing an effective capacity development / local government training programme to help ensure the sustainability of local government.  All agreed on the need to hold further discussions in this format.

The meeting was organised in the context of the Democratic Development, Decentralisation and Good Governance in Armenia – Phase II (DDDGGA) project, implemented in the context of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation.