JOINT STATEMENT ON CO-OPERATION

FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN UKRAINE

 

between

the Ministry of Regional Development,

Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine

and

the Council of Europe

 

Strasbourg, 17 April 2015

 

The Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine on the one hand, and the Council of Europe on the other hand, together referred to henceforth as “the Parties”,

 

acknowledging the need for decentralising power in full compliance with the international obligations of Ukraine and in line with European standards and best practice;

 

recognising that one of the major obstacles to decentralisation is the excessive municipal fragmentation of Ukraine and that municipalities need to be consolidated before they can receive and efficiently implement new competencies;

 

understanding that such reform can only be successful if it is inclusive and creates the conditions for stakeholders to be informed and to actively participate in its preparation and implementation;

 

recalling the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine for 2015-2017, which was approved by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 21 January 2015, and the Concept of the Reform of Local Self-Government and Territorial Organisation of Power in Ukraine, adopted by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dd. 1 April 2014 No. 333;

 

building on the good results of the previous co-operation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe in the field of decentralisation and strengthening capacity of local authorities;

 

AFFIRM THEIR COMMON INTENTION:

 

To co-operate, within their competence and for the duration of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine for 2015-2017, for the furthering of local government reform and decentralisation of power by: ensuring expert support for improving legislation in the area of local self-government and decentralisation of power; providing organisational and methodological assistance to local state administrations and local governments throughout the reform implementation process; and monitoring the implementation of the reform at the regional level, collecting information on problematic issues and submitting proposals for their solution to the Government. To this end, the Parties shall support:

 

•       the operation of a network of 25 Offices on local government reform and decentralisation of power established by  the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine and local authorities (referred to henceforth as “the Offices”). The Council of Europe jointly with the Ministry shall identify and appoint one senior expert per Office and train and supervise the quality of his or her work;
•       the organisation of a communication campaign on goals and impact of the reform;
•       the setting-up of an Expert group at the central level (the Central Office) to ensure co-operation with the regions, assess the results of the communication campaign and conduct opinion polls.

 

The Council of Europe activities to support the above measures shall be funded from sources identified by the Council of Europe.

 

The Parties shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of their co-operation jointly, in compliance with Council of Europe rules and practice and, if applicable, with requirements and conditions laid down additionally.

 

The Parties have signed the present Joint Statement of Co-operation in Strasbourg on 17 April 2015 in English and Ukrainian, both versions having equal validity.

 

 

Council of Europe       ………………………………	Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine     ………………………………
Thorbjørn Jagland Secretary General	Henadii Zubko Deputy Prime Minister – Minister