14th Annual CORLEAP Meeting Kicks Off in Yerevan

The 14th annual meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) has started in Yerevan, aimed at expanding democracy, promoting reforms, and fostering cooperation between communities.

As reported by "Armenpress," the main topics of discussion are the EU's new strategic approach to the Black Sea region, the current state and prospects of decentralization in the Eastern Partnership countries, as well as the discussion and adoption of CORLEAP's action plan for 2025-2029. Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the RA, Kristine Ghalechyan, emphasized that, prioritizing European standards, the Government of Armenia has adopted a policy of aligning existing legislation with European standards. "It is very important that Armenia ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government back in 2002. In 2013, Armenia also ratified the Additional Protocol to the European Charter on the Right to Participate in the Affairs of a Local Authority. In this context, we highly value the numerous joint programs implemented in recent years," Ghalechyan said.

The Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, Levon Hovhannisyan, emphasized that it is an honor for Yerevan to host the CORLEAP meeting this year. "We attach great importance to the cooperation and, of course, the involvement of Yerevan city with the European Union, the Council of Europe, and various European platforms, particularly in the work with CORLEAP. In this context, I consider it important to note that a few years ago, by the decision of the Yerevan Council of Elders, the square located in the central part of the city, on Northern Avenue, was named Europe Square. We greatly value our involvement and the coordination of efforts in the Eastern Partnership programs aimed at the implementation of the 2025-2029 action plan. We are confident that the Eastern Partnership, being a fairly accessible platform, greatly contributes to regional stability and the development and activation of dialogue within the European Union," noted the deputy mayor.