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Covenant of Mayors

Covenant of Mayors - 16.06.2010

Call for extension of the Covenant of Mayors to Western Balkans
 
An extension of the Covenant of Mayors to the Western Balkans was called for in a declaration adopted during the meeting of the presidents. and directors of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 15 June.

Indeed, approximately 50 local authorities from candidate and potential candidate countries (IPA) in the Western Balkans have already signed the Covenant of Mayors declaration, with the support of the European Commission. However, these local authorities require technical assistance and appropriate financial mechanisms so as to cope with the commitments engendered by the signing the Covenant.

Thus, the common declaration calls for the European Commission EuropeAid Cooperation Office (DG AIDCO) to launch an initiative for the Western Balkans similar to the soon-to-be-launched call for tender establishing a Covenant office dedicated to some Eastern countries.

The call was jointly issued by NALAS, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Energy Cities and the European Foundation for the Sustainable Development of the Regions (FEDRE), with the support of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

NALAS discusses crisis and energy efficiency

The presidents and directors of NALAS met in Sofia on 14 and 15 June to discuss a number of topics such as the economic crisis and its effects on local and regional authorities, as well as energy efficiency.

A publication containing good practices for energy efficiency in South-Eastern local authorities, launched by NALAS and its member associations, was notably presented at the meeting. NALAS presidents and directors also unanimously adopted a declaration guaranteeing the independence of national associations representing local and regional authorities vis-à-vis national governments and political parties.

At this occasion, CEMR Secretary General, Frédéric Vallier, reiterated CEMR's support to actions undertaken by NALAS and its members in working towards the recognition of local and regional autonomy in South-East Europe.
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