Armenia attaches importance to long-term cooperation with the  Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

ArmInfo. Armenia attaches  importance to long-term cooperation with the Congress of Local and  the regional authorities of the Council of Europe (KMBPCE), and all  programs implemented within the framework of this cooperation that  helped to establish democratic institutions in the country at all  levels.

On June 12, during the meeting with the delegation of KMBPCE, headed  by the Congress Director Jean- Philip Bogul, the Minister of  Territorial Administration and Development of the Republic of Armenia  Suren Papikyan stated. In his turn, according to the press service of  the department, Jean-Philip Bogul stressed that long-term cooperation  with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development of RA  was aimed at strengthening the capacity of local authorities and the  formation of strong and independent administrative associations.  Bogul also said that the Congress closely followed the peaceful  transfer of power in Armenia, which is a testament to the  establishment of a real democracy in the country. At the same time,  the head of the Congress stressed that the structure he chairs is  ready, within the framework of his powers, to assist in the  implementation of reform programs in Armenia. Suren Papikyan stressed  that the new authorities of the country intend to bring to completion  the process of decentralization of local self-government bodies,  which will be continued with the involvement of broad sections of  society with free will. "Real government bodies can appear only when  cooperating with civil society, public self-consciousness will be  formed," - the minister noted, expressing hope for assistance on this  issue from the Council of Europe.  Jean-Philip Bogul invited Suren  Papikyan to take part in the annual session of the Congress, which  will be held in November this year in Strasbourg.