Europe’s local and regional authorities are at the forefront of the response to crises in Europe and will play a major role in implementing the decisions that will be taken at the highest political level at the fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, which is taking place on 16-17 May in Reykjavik (see other news).
This is the main message of the ‘call for action’ addressed to national governments, which was signed on 15 May by representatives of seven European institutions and associations. The signing of this document (the first of its kind) took place at the high-level conference on ‘Embedding democratic values at grassroots level’, held at Reykjavik City Hall.
“The fourth Summit will be an opportunity to reaffirm support for the crucial role of local and regional authorities in building a secure, democratic, and cohesive Europe”, said Leendert Verbeek, President of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge, stressed that local and regional authorities are also “responsible for delivering so many rights and services on which citizens depend”. Link to the call for action: https://aeur.eu/f/6wy (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)