With January 2015, the Latvian Presidency is setting the agenda of the main political lines of the European Union, by chairing the Council. Among the important issues to follow, Latvia selected Eastern Partnership as one of the core of its activities. Indeed, it will host in May the Summit of the Eastern Partnership that will probably pave the way for a reform of this important instrument of the European Union with its Eastern Neighbours.
This part of the European Neighbourhood is of particular interest of ALDA and its members since the organisation is supporting two fully operational Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) – in Gyumi, Armenia and in Kutaisi, Georgia. ALDA is also working for setting up – hopefully in May – a Local Democracy Agency in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, with the support of the Region Lower Silesia (PL) and Region Alsace (France). The challenge is important considering the need to work in a particular area, at the border with the conflict zone of the Donbass.
In addition to these fundamental elements to promote local democracy and local governance as one of the main pillar of the stabilisation and development in the Eastern Partnership countries, ALDA is also working steadily in Belarus and with programmes in Georgia. The Association also runs some youth programmes in Azerbaijan. Therefore, for all of us – the LDAs and ALDA members – the Latvian Presidency will be of fundamental important to raise the profile of citizen participation at the local level as a top item on the agenda of the European decision makers.
It is also crucial to underline the importance of this year 2015, dedicated by the EU to Development policies. And ALDA is – among its activities – a real promoter of development with projects making Local Authorities and Civil Society work together. We actively participated to the development of the Alliance for the European Year for Development, working closely with CONCORD and we will be active all year long to make citizens more aware and involved in development issues.
For many reasons, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy will be at the core of the European programmes and policies with many activities and projects. We will work hard to implement our actions with all members and partners.
Oriano Otocan, President of ALDA – The European Association for Local Democracy
With January 2015, the Latvian Presidency is setting the agenda of the main political lines of the European Union, by chairing the Council. Among the important issues to follow, Latvia selected Eastern Partnership as one of the core of its activities. Indeed, it will host in May the Summit of the Eastern Partnership that will probably pave the way for a reform of this important instrument of the European Union with its Eastern Neighbours.
This part of the European Neighbourhood is of particular interest of ALDA and its members since the organisation is supporting two fully operational Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) – in Gyumi, Armenia and in Kutaisi, Georgia. ALDA is also working for setting up – hopefully in May – a Local Democracy Agency in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, with the support of the Region Lower Silesia (PL) and Region Alsace (France). The challenge is important considering the need to work in a particular area, at the border with the conflict zone of the Donbass.
In addition to these fundamental elements to promote local democracy and local governance as one of the main pillar of the stabilisation and development in the Eastern Partnership countries, ALDA is also working steadily in Belarus and with programmes in Georgia. The Association also runs some youth programmes in Azerbaijan. Therefore, for all of us – the LDAs and ALDA members – the Latvian Presidency will be of fundamental important to raise the profile of citizen participation at the local level as a top item on the agenda of the European decision makers.
It is also crucial to underline the importance of this year 2015, dedicated by the EU to Development policies. And ALDA is – among its activities – a real promoter of development with projects making Local Authorities and Civil Society work together. We actively participated to the development of the Alliance for the European Year for Development, working closely with CONCORD and we will be active all year long to make citizens more aware and involved in development issues.
For many reasons, ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy will be at the core of the European programmes and policies with many activities and projects. We will work hard to implement our actions with all members and partners.
Oriano Otocan, President of ALDA – The European Association for Local Democracy