Second main theme in Council of Europe ministers meeting is Kiviniemi's report
The Council of Europe ministers for the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will be convening on 16 and 17 November 2009 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Finland will be represented by Minister of Public Administration and Local Government, Ms Mari Kiviniemi.
The ministers will make decisions on the policies for action for the years 2010-2013. As part of the exchange of views at the meeting, Kiviniemi will present the completed report on how to improve the work of the Council of Europe in developing local and regional democracy. Kiviniemi was selected in the previous meeting of the ministers in Valencia in 2007 to draw up such a report.
The purpose of the report is to provide a backdrop for the ministers? meeting for a series of proposed measures to encourage the governments of the Member States to become more strongly committed to the work of the Council of Europe, to enhance collaboration with other international actors, to improve flexibility and efficiency in operations and to create more openness in communication and in the activities of the Council of Europe.
The ministers for local and regional authorities convene every two to four years to determine and specify measures by the Council of Europe in the field of local and regional democracy.
Inquiries: Mr Kimmo Collander, Senior Specialist, tel. 358 9 160 32209 or 358 40 750 8890.