Strasbourg memorandum signed on public assemblies in Ukrainian cities – Mayor Klitschko
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Strasbourg with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on the implementation of the Public Assembly in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, Kyiv Mayor and Chairman of the Association of Ukrainian Cities Vitaliy Klitschko announced on Tuesday.
"A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Strasbourg with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on the implementation of the Public Assembly. Kyiv, as well as Lviv, Rivne, Zviahel, Slavutych, which are members of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, are the first in Ukraine to implement Public Assemblies. This is an effective experience of European partners for the interaction of local authorities with the community in resolving various issues of community life," he said..
In particular, he noted, in Ukrainian realities, it will also be about involving city residents in issues of supporting veterans and their families, helping veterans adapt to peaceful life in society, and in residents' proposals and ideas for the future restoration of communities.
The mayor of Kyiv also met in Strasbourg with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset.
"I thanked the partners for their assistance in carrying out the decentralization reform and implementing the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Ukraine. The Association of Ukrainian Cities systematically cooperates with the Council of Europe, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to protect local self-government and democracy in Ukraine," Klitschko said.
In particular, the Concept for the Restoration of Local Self-Government in Ukraine was jointly developed.
"Today, more than ever, we need the support of the Council of Europe. Because the pressure on local governments is increasing. And this is a threatening situation. Especially in times of war. We must not lose Ukraine's democratic achievements! And partners are ready to help us," he concluded. As reported, Klitschko appealed to the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Kools, to send a monitoring mission to Ukraine, given that European partners, according to him, receive information about the pressure of the central government on local governments, the mayor's website reported on Tuesday.
