The international standards of local democracy and transboundary cooperation: ways of development

• Main Author: Olena Moshak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National University Odessa Law Academy 2019-06-01
• Series: Lex Portus
• Subjects: ocal self-government; international standards; crossborder cooperation; local self-government bodies; subsidiarity
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.26886/2524-101X.3.2019.6

The article examines the international standards defined by the documents of the world and the regional (the European) level, which establishes the legal basis of the modern system of local self-government in Ukraine, as well as the foundations of crossborder cooperation of the relevant bodies and communities. The provisions of the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities 1980, the European Charter of Local Self-Government 1985, the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority 2009, the Worldwide Declaration on the Principles of Local Self-Government 1985, the Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level 1992, the European Charter of Regional Self-Government 1997, and also the Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level 2008 are examined. It is noted that the formation of these standards has passed the long-term path of formation, they have been tested by many years of democratic practice and their significance for the development of a modern system of local self-government still to be evaluated by law. The author states that gradual steps are being taken in Ukraine to implement an effective system of local self-government, there is a strong political will to increase its efficiency and involve citizens in active participation in matters of local importance and crossborder cooperation. We hope that the principle of subsidiarity, proclaimed as a leading institution in building local self-governance in Europe, will receive proper reflection and implementation in Ukraine. The author also notes the need for further improvement of the mechanisms of ensuring financial autonomy of local self-government bodies of Ukraine and the updating of the current legislation on the basis of the Concept of reforming local self-government and territorial organization of power in Ukraine, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from April 1, 2014, No. 333-р.