SARAJEVO/JAHORINA, April 24 (FENA) - For the purpose of strengthening the local levels of government, the federations of municipalities and cities of the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska have launched a project "Strengthening the Associations of Municipalities and Cities in BiH".
The project is supported by the governments of Switzerland and Sweden, in partnership with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).
A first joint meeting of the commissions for international liaisons, cooperation and EU integration of both associations was held today in Jahorina.
They discussed the role of local BiH authorities in European integration process, as well as the presentation of the Report on the Impact of EU Integration on local self-government units in BiH, stated the Association of Municipalities and Cities of FBiH.
At the beginning of the meeting, Swiss Ambassador Andrea Rauber Saxer and Director of the International Development Agency (SIDA) Marie Bergstrom addressed the participants.
Ambassador Saxer stressed the importance of such projects that lead the country forward towards the EU accession.
She believes that these projects are of common interest as all municipalities and cities share similar problems.
Marie Bergstrom said that the local communities are important in the accession to the European Union.
She expressed satisfaction with the fact that for the first time we have had a meeting of two working groups of municipal associations in FBiH and RS Republika Srpska dealing with issues of EU accession.
A partner in this project is the Swedish Association of Local and Regional Authorities (SALAR).
An advisor to this Association, David Young said that they have recognized the impact of three policies on EU integration at the local level, and these are public procurement, employment policy and regional cooperation.
(FENA) S. R.