During this week, the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, participated in the 47th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg, in France, where she was accompanied by experts in the field of Local Government together with members of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the Council of Europe.
While addressing the 47th Session of Congress, Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli expressed satisfaction for the work carried out by Congress in promoting regional and local democracy, strengthening governance, fostering cooperation, and democratic standards across all European Member States. Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli mentioned the important work carried out by the local and regional councils. She said that these are key contributors in crucial initiatives that until recently were completely outside their areas of competence, including social integration, culture, health and the sports sectors. She emphasized the need to continue paying attention to the emancipation of young people as the driving force for today’s and tomorrow’s change as well.
In this regard, the parliamentary secretary mentioned that in Malta, Parliament unanimously adopted the decision to allow young people aged 16 and 17 to be elected as mayor or vice-mayor. She emphasized that this decision should inspire other European Member States, and even encourage the active involvement of the younger generations in local and regional life.
On the sidelines of the 47th Session of the Congress, Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli had a bilateral meeting with the President of the Congress, Marc Cools, and the Secretary General of the same Congress, Mathieu Mori.
In light of Malta’s Presidency in the next Council of Europe, in this meeting, the parliamentary secretary reiterated that Malta is ready to be an interlocutor on an international and regional level while also maintaining a healthy dialogue with the organization at all levels. While emphasizing the support of the Maltese Government to the Council of Europe, she said that she looks forward to hosting the meeting in our country which will be held during the Presidency of Malta in the Council of Europe. Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli also had a meeting with the French interlocutors at the level of Local Government, so that there is more exchange of knowledge to further strengthen local and regional governance.
Photos (MHAL_PS)
