SEE Regional Ministerial Conference on

Views were exchanged at the Conference between representatives of national associations of local and regional authorities, national and international organisations and NGOs. In his introductory address, the State Secretary of the Central State Office for Administration Antun Palarić, stated that the local government programme in Croatia has been successful and that citizens have accepted the possibility of managing their own communities, which is seen in the desire to establish new units of local self-government. State Secretary Palarić stated that the Ministerial Conference intends to present the activities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia in the reform of local and regional self-government, which will lead to comprehensive decentralisation accompanied by the strengthening of local and regional self-government.

On the second day, Tuesday, 26 October 2004, the work of the Conference will continue with a meeting of the ministers from the Stability Pact countries, who will exchange experiences, share their views on further activities and future actions at local and regional level, and consider the contribution of the international community to supporting effective democratic governance at local and regional level.

The Conference will be closed by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Commitments aimed at ensuring effective democratic governance at local and regional level and the adoption of the Final Declaration of the ministers of the Stability Pact countries, representatives of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and the Council of Europe.

The Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact Dr Erhard Busek, Director General of Legal Affairs of the Council of Europe Guy de Vel and the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Giovanni di Stasi are taking part in the work of the conference, as well as ministers responsible for local and regional government in the countries participating in the Stability Pact.