The Congress Bureau held its meeting on 9 June 2023, in Athens, Greece at the invitation of the Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE).
The Bureau discussed the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe (16-17 May, Reykjavik, Iceland) and adopted a Bureau declaration taking stock of and welcoming the positive outcomes of the summit and making proposals for the Congress’ post-summit follow-up and action, including revision of the Congress’ 2021-2026 priorities. The Bureau also approved a draft recommendation on the Congress’ budget and resources for 2024-2025, in light of the 4th Summit and its implications for the Congress.
The Bureau continued its discussion on the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, agreed to strengthen its cooperation with the Association of Ukrainian Cities on abducted mayors and decided to prepare a resolution on the plight of Russian opposition activists for presentation to the Congress at its 45th Session.
Members took note of the situation of local and regional democracy in Türkiye, where opposition politicians including Congress former members, are in long-term detention and also took note of the situation in Tunisia: in this respect they decided on a fact-finding mission by the Congress Rapporteur on the South-Med Partnership.
Furthermore, the Bureau held an exchange with Greek local authorities.
The Bureau approved the agenda for the 46th Congress session to be held from 24 to 26 October 2023 in Strasbourg.
