Statement of ALDA Vice President Alessandro Perelli, Coordinator of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation working group.
***
“In north-western Africa, significant steps forward have been made in the fields of decentralization and strengthening of the local communities” affirms Alessandro Perelli, Vice President of ALDA and coordinator of the working group on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. In Morocco, only a few months ago a regional reform was implemented, which gives stronger power and autonomy to regions, thus positively impacting the citizens’ needs and lives. In Algeria, on the initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a body called “Observatory for the modernization of local authorities” has recently been created, which among its tasks has to promote participation and active citizenship.”
“In Tunisia, only a few days ago the date of the next local elections has been set, for 26 March 2017. This will mean the end of the mayors nominated after the revolution, and the start of the legitimation of citizens’ vote for their representatives. It is a democratic process which looks at Europe and seems, now, unstoppable. ALDA is in the frontline to support this process, as demonstrated during its recent General Assembly in Paris, which saw Mr Mohammed Salhi from Morocco as a new member of the Association Governing Board. The pre-agreement signed with the Mayor of the City of Kairouan, in Tunisia, to open the future Local Democracy Agency (the first in Africa) October, is a strong sign. We will keep being committed to engaging civil society, associations, and local authorities of the Neighborhood to promote the European Union values, as we firmly believe this matches citizens’ expectations towards progress” concluded Perelli.
Statement of ALDA Vice President Alessandro Perelli, Coordinator of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation working group.
***
“In north-western Africa, significant steps forward have been made in the fields of decentralization and strengthening of the local communities” affirms Alessandro Perelli, Vice President of ALDA and coordinator of the working group on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. In Morocco, only a few months ago a regional reform was implemented, which gives stronger power and autonomy to regions, thus positively impacting the citizens’ needs and lives. In Algeria, on the initiative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a body called “Observatory for the modernization of local authorities” has recently been created, which among its tasks has to promote participation and active citizenship.”
“In Tunisia, only a few days ago the date of the next local elections has been set, for 26 March 2017. This will mean the end of the mayors nominated after the revolution, and the start of the legitimation of citizens’ vote for their representatives. It is a democratic process which looks at Europe and seems, now, unstoppable. ALDA is in the frontline to support this process, as demonstrated during its recent General Assembly in Paris, which saw Mr Mohammed Salhi from Morocco as a new member of the Association Governing Board. The pre-agreement signed with the Mayor of the City of Kairouan, in Tunisia, to open the future Local Democracy Agency (the first in Africa) October, is a strong sign. We will keep being committed to engaging civil society, associations, and local authorities of the Neighborhood to promote the European Union values, as we firmly believe this matches citizens’ expectations towards progress” concluded Perelli.