CoE to monitor Cyprus’ progress in implementing European Charter of Local Self-Government

A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CoE) will monitor the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Cyprus, from 29 to 30 March 2021.

According to a press release issued by the CoE, the delegation is comprised of the co-rapporteurs on local and regional democracy in Cyprus, Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG) and Gunn Marit Helgesen (Norway, EPP/CCE). They will hold meetings with local and national authorities to evaluate the developments concerning the application of the Charter since the last monitoring report and recommendation adopted in 2016. All meetings will be held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The delegation will have meetings with the National Delegation of Cyprus to the Congress, national associations of local and regional authorities, parliament, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Finance, the President of the Supreme Court, the ombudswoman and the Audit Office. They will also have meetings with the mayors of Nicosia and Pegeia.

The ensuing report will be considered by the Monitoring Committee, the release says.

Cyprus ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1988. Countries that have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter demands the implementation of a minimum set of rights that constitute the core basis for local self-government in Europe.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe ensures that these principles are respected in the 47 member States of the Council of Europe.