On April 1–2, a meeting of the Political Council of the European Platform of Local and Regional Authorities for Development (PLATFORMA) was held in Seville. Representatives from Georgia – the Chairman of the Telavi Municipality Council, Tengiz Mtvarelishvili, and a Member of the Tbilisi Municipality Council, Levan Abashidze – took part in the meeting.

One of the main topics discussed was the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the European Union’s external action. During the meeting, a member of the Georgian delegation addressed the audience.

According to Tengiz Mtvarelishvili, the Georgian side expressed concern over the global reduction of funding allocated to local and regional governments (LRGs), particularly in EU candidate countries. He emphasized that the EU enlargement process is critically important for countries like Georgia.

“Having reviewed MFF communication for EU financial priorities in 2028-2034, we are deeply concerned for reduction of budgets for LRGs globally and particularly in candidate countries. EU enlargement process not being prioritized in the document is extremely crucial for the countries like Georgia. Dedicated budget line for Local and Regional Governments (LRGs), having a significant role in future pre-accession and growth plans under MFF, should strengthen EU enlargement strategies. None-governmental organizations already at place like for instance NALAG whose primary role is to develop city diplomacy and foster connections between European organizations and networks, such as CEMR and PLATFORMA, require further strengthening of its capacities. Decentralized cooperation, including city-to-city partnerships and peer-to-peer exchanges, is crucial for facilitating a faster EU integration process. Directly sharing the experience of some other local governments from the states, which have joined the EU recently and already gone through those procedures successfully in the past could be very effective as well.”- Tengiz Mtvarelishvili said.

The PLATFORMA Political Council meeting was opened by Mr. Borut Tonhauser, Director of PLATFORMA, who spoke about the importance of the role of local and regional governments in the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Fabrizio Rossi, Secretary General of CEMR, presented a PLATFORMA position paper outlining how the involvement of local and regional governments in the European Union’s external action could be further strengthened.

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