Discussion on role of citizens at local and regional level of government

Belgrade, Oct 16, 2007 - The Serbian Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government issued a statement today that today's work of the 15th session of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Entities of the Member States of the Council of Europe in Valencia “Good local and regional governance – the European challenge”, is dedicated to discussion on the role of citizens in those authorities.

On the second, closing day of the conference, in which participates the Serbian delegation, led by Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic, a discussion was held about the Strategy of innovations and good governance at local level, which envisages intensive activation of local authorities at central level. The Strategy was supported by all member states of the Council of Europe.

Minister Markovic endorsed implementation of the Budapest agenda adopted at the previous conference held in 2005.

Participants in the conference adopted the Declaration " Good local and regional governance – the European challenge".

Minister Markovic held an introductory speech yesterday in the capacity of chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. He attended the conference at the invitation of Spanish Minister of Public Administration Elena Salgado.

During the two-day conference, Markovic met with his counterparts, mostly from the neighbouring countries. The Serbian delegation also includes Speaker of the Vojvodina Assembly Bojan Kostres, reads the statement.