“Local authorities are the first line of response to citizens’ needs, and bear the primary responsibility for the well-being of their communities. However, to be successful, local authorities must have the necessary competences, financial means and autonomy. These requirements are among the key principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, ratified by Armenia”, emphasised Natalia VOUTOVA, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, addressing the Forum on Local Democracy in Yerevan, Armenia, on 12 November 2018.
“Local economic development is not an aim for its own sake, we are not simply supporting entrepreneurs and businesses. We are primarily aiming to address citizens’ needs, provide targeted services and improve the quality of life overall. To achieve this, local institutions need to be close to the society and to be recognised as part of the society. And this is possible only if local authority is transparent in its work and if local elected representatives feel and practice the accountability to their citizens”, emphasised Saša PAUNOVIĆ, Deputy Head of delegation of Serbia to the Congress and Mayor of Paraćin, Serbia, during his presentation.
“No actor can improve the situation in an isolated environment, but rather with support of all relevant stakeholders, both on national and local level,” emphasised Emin YERITSYAN, President of the Communities Association of Armenia (CAA) and Head of delegation of Armenia to the Congress.
“We need to exchange experiences and examples of good practice with countries from the region and other parts of Europe. Tools and mechanisms for local economic development are universal, but we need to adjust it to the national context and for this we rely on European standards, Council of Europe and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said Vatche TERTERYAN, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development of Armenia.
This year’s Forum on Local Democracy focused on ‘Decentralisation and local economic development’, brought together 120 partners of the local government system in Armenia – mayors and councillors, their Associations, representatives of the national government, as well international agencies and experts – to foster an environment of constructive dialogue on local economic development, which is one of the most important means of local sustainable development and social cohesion. The forum was organised jointly by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development and the CAA, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC).
Armenia joined the Council of Europe in 2001, ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 2002 and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority in 2013. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter imposes compliance with a minimum number of rights, which are the bedrock of European local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe ensures respect for these principles.
