“The decentralisation reform in Ukraine has led to the creation of bigger, stronger and more resilient local authorities, which proved to be pivotal in resisting the Russian aggression,” underlined Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori at the opening of the High-Level Dialogue on good democratic governance in Ukraine, in Strasbourg on 2 July.

“We value our co-operation to strengthen multi-level governance system in Ukraine in a war and post-war context,” he continued, adding that the Council of Europe and its Congress remained a leading strategic policy adviser in this area for Ukraine’s Parliament, Government and associations of local authorities. Over two days, participants in the Dialogue will be discussing recovery of local self-government, transition to civilian rule, and division of competences between the state and local authorities.