Brussels, 31/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 31 May in Strasbourg the local and regional authorities of the Council of Europe opened their plenary session, which will continue till 2 June. Congress members and delegates from 46 European countries will discuss the situation of local democracy in Russia, Georgia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Netherlands. They will also debate the role of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue in preventing and resolving conflicts and the role of the regional media. The congress will also examine reports on natural and industrial disasters, including oil slicks. A round table is planned on the theme of the Charter for Local Autonomy (which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year). Discussions will focus on the follow-up to the 3rd Summit of the Council of Europe, which according to the president of the Congress, Giovanni Di Stassi is concentrating on the role “fundamental role of territorial bodies, notably those associated with the Congress.