'The Committee of Ministers chairmanships provide an opportunity to pursue the political dialogue we initiate with the member state governments in the course of monitoring the European Charter of local self-government', said Jean-Claude Frécon, President of the Congress, on 13 November 2014, as the chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers was handed over from Azerbaijan to Belgium. 'Belgium's federal make-up and tradition of decentralisation makes it an example for Europe. There might sometimes be difficulties, but the spirit of constant dialogue between the different levels of governance prevailing in your country is the same driving force that is central to the mission of the Congress'.