Fernando Fructuoso de Melo, director-general for development co-operation of the European Commission, announced it already last Friday on the new year’s reception of VNG International…. the European Commission will sign strategic partnerships with representatives of five of the main global and regional associations of local authorities, to achieve common objectives in matters of good governance and sustainable development at the local level.
The signing actually happend Wednesday the 28th of January by EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica. He stated: “This is the first time that the European Commission establishes this way of cooperation with local authorities, and I believe that it will allow us to further improve our work together on the basis of mutual interests and common objectives. By strengthening the structure and capacity of local authorities, as well as their capacity to influence the interests and practices of national governments, we can make a real difference in development.”
The five associations who have co-signed the agreements are:
-United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
– Association International Maires Francophones (AIMF)
– Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
– United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-A)
– Council of European Municipalities and Regions/PLATFORMA
If would like to read more about this agreement, click here