On December 4-5, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Leaders’ Summit was held in Malta. The two-day event represented a high-level organized political platform where European leaders, mayors, deputies, experts, and institutional partners discussed the main challenges facing Europe – demographic transformation, territorial inequality, the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, as well as the role of local and regional authorities in shaping the new European strategic cycle.
The Georgian side at the summit was represented by Ketevan Khomeriki, a member of the Ozurgeti Municipality Assambly and the delegate nominated by the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) to CEMR, who addressed the participants and spoke about the importance of the role of local self-governance in Georgia.
“Today, when Europe stands before geopolitical tension, disinformation, and a crisis of trust in institutions, it is precisely local government that remains closest to citizens. Democracy does not begin and end only in parliaments and ministries – it finds its strongest foundation precisely in our municipalities, councils, and communities,” stated the Georgian delegate.
Ketevan Khomeriki also emphasized in her speech the services existing in municipalities, which are implemented in the directions of waste management, environmental protection, tourism, accessibility of public services, introduction of innovative projects, and sustainable development. According to the delegate, communities are trying to maintain a balance between modernity and local identity, which further strengthens democratic processes and citizen engagement.
The Georgian delegate expressed special gratitude to CEMR for the opportunities created and the constant support for Georgian local leaders. According to her, the organization creates a unique space that allows medium and small-sized municipalities to make their experience an integral part of European policy and future budget formation, and to have their position fully taken into account.
Within the framework of the summit, the renewal of CEMR’s Political Committee also took place, new leaders were elected, and a discussion was held on the EU’s future financial perspective, where strengthening local and regional voices was named as one of the main priorities.