Governance and citizenship

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) participated as an observer in the 7th High Level Meeting (HLM) on Local Governance held from 30 September to 1 October 2010,.which constitutes the first time a representative association of European local and regional authorities has attended such an event.

The meeting, organised by the federated entities of Belgium in the framework of the Belgian EU Presidency, revolved around the theme of 'Efficiency and good governance", all the more relevant with the recent and ongoing implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. Other themes included the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), the implementation of European policies at the local level, and new approaches for new governance after the financial and economic crisis.

CEMR's message at the occasion of the High Level Meeting

In its message addressed to the 7th HLM on Local Governance and as a means of continuing the debate, CEMR calls on EU member states to establish a joint inter-governmental working group composed of representatives from member states, EU institutions and associations representing local and regional authorities. This group would ensure the establishment of multi-level governance through dialogue and cooperation between different levels of government throughout the formation and implementation of policies.

On another note, CEMR Secretary General, Frédéric Vallier, who spoke on behalf of CEMR, underlined that some countries 'take the crisis as an excuse to recentralise finances, a tendency CEMR does not support. Local governments need true fiscal autonomy, based on sustainable and adequate resources, so that they can ensure the provision of services and demonstrate their responsible use of resources."