Partnership with the Council of Europe/Association of Municipalities presents the challenges of local government

2025-11-17 22:51:00, Politikë CNA

Partnership with the Council of Europe/Association of Municipalities presents

Today, the delegation of the Association of Municipalities and Elected Officials, headed by its President, Fisnik Qosja, participated in the official meeting organized within the framework of the Monitoring of the Application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Albania.
The monitoring mission was led by: Anders Knape, Rapporteur for Local Democracy, Chamber of Municipalities and member of the Karlstad City Council, Sweden;
Sören Schumacher, Rapporteur for Regional Democracy, Chamber of Regions, SOC/G/PD, and member of the Hamburgische Bürgerschaft, Germany.

During the meeting, the selected delegation of the Association presented a clear and detailed overview of the current dynamics of local government in the country. Critical issues were highlighted such as:
- the truncated autonomy of local self-government units, -
limited financial decentralization, -
illegal interventions in the affairs and competencies of municipalities,
- as well as difficulties that directly affect the effective functioning of local institutions.

In this context, President Fisnik Qosja once again emphasized the untruthfulness of some voices from various organizations, which have claimed that the Association of Municipalities and Local Elected Officials has been “assimilated” or does not exist.
He clearly explained to the monitors that the Association of Municipalities and Local Elected Officials continues to remain steadfast in its mission, as a separate organization in defense of the interests of local government and in service of its members.

Representatives of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities listened with great interest to the concerns and clarifications presented, appreciating the transparency and importance of the information provided.

The Association of Municipalities and Elected Officials remains committed to protecting the principles of local self-government and promoting an empowered, functional local government at the service of communities and the country's integration into the European family./ CNA