Support for local and regional authorities in Western Balkans via peer-learning exercises as well as challenges that need to be overcome to strengthen local democracy were among the key points discussed by EPP-CoR members during the first meeting of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Working Group on relations with the Western Balkans for the 2020-2025 mandate.
In his opening remarks, Nikola Dobroslavic (EPP/HR), Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and Chair of the Working Group with the Western Balkans spoke about the willingness of the working group to support local and regional authorities in the Western Balkans. Dobroslavic spoke about the shortcomings in the functioning of local democracy in Western Balkan countries including the rule of law, justice, the fight against corruption, media freedom and protection of minorities. He added "In overcoming these challenges, it is necessary to act actively and persistently at the local and regional level, but even more so at the state level. The involvement of the CoR is needed to assist local and regional authorities in their work."
During the meeting, Dobroslavic said that the Working Group will engage local and regional authorities in peer-learning exercises with counterparts from Western Balkan countries. Referring to peer-learning exercises, Tanya Hristova (EPP/BG), Mayor of Gabrovo said that she was looking forward to welcome the association of municipalities in Kosovo after the pandemic to share good practices in the field of energy efficiency through a project for which Gabrovo was the key partner.
During the meeting members also discussed EU–Kosovo relations and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the municipalities of Kosovo with the European Parliament rapporteur on Kosovo, the European Commission, Ambassadors and local leaders from Kosovo. The Commission representative said that while steps forward were made in terms of the justice reform, citizens needed to see strong political will at all levels to address rule of law and the fight against corruption.
Speaking on the impact of COVID-19 on local governance, Hristova referred to a survey of the association of municipalities in southeast Europe that includes local and regional authorities from Kosovo. She said that health and social consequences will lead to a crisis in local governance finances. Reduced economic activity was leaving an impact on the revenue of local and regional authorities that needs to be addressed. She added that the crisis has a cross-border impact and no one could address the matter in isolation. Speaking of the steps ahead, Hristova said "We need to improve local services and boost local development. We need vertical and horizontal cooperation, coordination and consultation with all levels of government. This is key of the social and economic recovery of the pandemic."
During the meeting, the work programme of the Working Group on Relations with the Western Balkans 2020-2025 was also adopted.
Created in 2006 and covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, the Working Group on Relations with the Western Balkans aims to promote dialogue and cooperation between the CoR and local and regional self-government of the Western Balkan countries; promote European values such as rule of law and good governance; strengthen the role of local and regional authorities in the process of bringing their countries closer to the EU as well as to prepare local and regional authorities for future work in the European Committee of the Regions.