Statement by the Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs)

“At their first Southeast Regional Coordination and Partnership Building Meeting, held on 10th January in Nis, Serbia, the delegates of Local Democracy Agencies were reviewing the present status and challenges of the local democracy in the region, in view of its potential role in upholding the EU intergration process in the Western Balkans countries.

Having in mind that local tier of governance should have a stronger say in EU integration, and that so far Croatia, Albania and Macedonia have acceded the Europe for Citizens programme as one of the most effective tool linking the local governments and citizens all across Europe, we strongly call upon the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia who have formally expressed interest in participating, to speed up the procedure of joining the Programme.” […]