The National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia extends heartfelt congratulations to the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on its 73rd Anniversary!

Throughout 14-year partnership between the CEMR and the NALAG, we have some remarkable achievements. With collaborative efforts, historical justice has been restored, leading to Georgia’s transition to the European Section of the UCLG. This affirms CEMR’s conviction that Georgia is an integral part of the European family and is yet another manifestation of CEMR’s concrete actions to bring Georgian municipalities closer to the EU.

We greatly value CEMR’s unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. This has been demonstrated, when during the CEMR Policy Committee Meeting in Tbilisi on 6-7 June, 2023 CEMR’s leadership and members visited Tserovani and Odzisi – villages in the vicinity of occupation line, where they expressed keen interest in the situation on the ground and met with internally displaced persons and local population.

Against the backdrop of Georgia being granted EU candidate status, the relations between the CEMR and the NALAG acquire particular momentum. At this turning point, CEMR’s work has never been more in need, since Georgian municipalities strongly aspire to forge decentralized cooperation bonds with their European counterparts and make their vital contribution to country’s European integration.

We wish CEMR success in service of what both CEMR and NALAG strongly believe in: united Europe with strong and progressive local self-governance that creates change that we seek!