OSCE Mission to Skopje presents survey showing decentralization reform on track

SKOPJE, 22 September 2006 - A survey conducted in 80 of the country's 84 municipalities by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje has concluded that municipalities view the decentralization process as "mostly successful".

The findings were presented today in Ohrid during an event organized by the Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS) to mark the conclusion of the first year since competencies were transferred from central government to municipalities.

"We not only evaluated and analyzed the current state of affairs, but also provided recommendations for potential future activities of local authorities, which could be supported by the OSCE and other members of the international community in order to make the assistance better targeted and more efficient," said Philipp Stiel, the Head of the Mission's Public Administration Reform Unit.

The survey focused on financial management, urban planning, education, inter-municipal co-operation, neighborhood self-government and inter-community relations as well as gender issues, and showed a great deal of progress in these areas.

At the same time, the fiscal decentralization was considered by many respondents to be the most challenging, including the administration of local taxes and fees. Given that collecting revenues is regarded as the cornerstone for the normal functioning of units of local self-government, the survey report suggests that assistance in this area is crucial for the further success of decentralization.

Andre Petrov, President of ZELS, thanked the OSCE Mission for its support for the decentralization reform. "The survey's findings and recommendations are an essential vehicle for directing all actors on the challenging road of decentralization reform," he said.

"As the main partner of the central government, we will continue to serve our role for municipalities to lobby for their interests and continue to develop the capacity of our members."