Interviewed by Agence Europe on 16 October, Marc Cools explains the role of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, which he chairs, a year and a half after the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik and a month after Alain Berset took office as the Organisation’s new Secretary General. (Interview by Véronique Leblanc)
Agence Europe - From the start of his mandate last September, the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has made Ukraine one of his top priorities. What role can the Congress play in this?
Marc Cools - Before the war of aggression launched by Russia, we were supporting a decentralisation process in Ukraine. Since February 2022, martial law has led to strong recentralisation. Our role is to plan for the post-war period so that we can relaunch the initial process.
This was confirmed to me last May during my visit to the summit of Ukrainian cities and regions. The mayor of Kyiv told me that we had to be ready, because the window of opportunity would be short after the war.
We have been supporting Ukrainian local authorities since the beginning of the conflict, and at this session, we focused on the destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, which is part of the Russian Federation’s denial of the country’s existence.
Alain Berset also announced an “Action Plan for the revitalisation of democracy” and referred to the Declaration of the fourth Council of Europe Summit, held in Reykjavik in May 2023. What impact has the Summit had on the Congress?
It was very important for the Council of Europe, which was losing momentum, and for the Congress. You could say there’s a new impetus.
As far as we are concerned, the Final Declaration stressed the importance of the territorial dimension in the implementation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Actions followed, and human and financial resources were put in place.
Our budget has increased [approx. 20% - editor’s note] and, from a more structural point of view, the “Centre of Expertise for Governance” - a body tasked with carrying out cooperation initiatives, including training, with local elected representatives - has been integrated into the Congress.
In his speech to the plenary session of our assembly on Tuesday, Alain Berset assured us that we would be involved in implementing this Action Plan.
What are your priorities as President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe?
I would mention the dialogue with democratic forces in non-member countries such as Belarus, where it is well underway, and Russia, where it will begin next month; the establishment of a political dialogue between representatives of the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus; and the creation of “permanent guest” status for election observation in Member States. This would enable us to plan our missions and not be caught short by last-minute invitations that we can’t honour.
Another of my wishes - still under consideration - is to create a process enabling non-member states of the Council of Europe to join the European Charter of Local Self-Government. I’m thinking in particular of Morocco, which has partner status for local democracy.
The Reykjavik Declaration also mentioned a greater role for the Congress in monitoring the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Where are you at with that?
After Reykjavik, a year and a half ago, we strengthened the dialogue on the execution of judgments at local and regional level and created the post of permanent rapporteur for the Congress on human rights. Gudrun Mosler-Törnström, of Austria, currently occupies this post and carries out her duties with representatives of the Court’s Department for the Execution of Judgments.
Previously, we had published manuals dedicated to human rights issues and organised debates and exchanges of best practice on issues such as antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
During our monitoring visits, we always meet human rights defenders, ombudsmen and civil society.
Another theme addressed during the session was the revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life.
It is due to be adopted in 2025 under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. At this session, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the initiative involving youth delegates in our work.
This is important, because the active participation of young people is vital to the health of a democratic society.