THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN METHODOLOGICAL SUPPORT MUNICIPAL REFORM IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the significance of Ukraine’s cooperation with the Council of Europe regarding the development and reform of the local self-government system. It is noted that cooperation with the Council of Europe plays an important role in the process of European integration of Ukraine, as it contributes to the entry of our country into the European legal space. The leading role in this is played by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, which acts as an advisory body of the organization, develops recommendations of the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on all aspects of local and regional politics, and also closely cooperates with national and international organizations that represent the interests of local and regional authorities. It also monitors how the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government are implemented, which entered into force on September 9, 1988 and confirmed the obligation of the CE countries to recognize the principle of autonomy of local authorities and enshrine it in domestic law. The main focus of the article is on the analysis of the substantive component of the CE documents, which reflect the monitoring of the state of local self-government reform in Ukraine and formulate recommendations for its improvement. Since 2001, within the framework of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, various analytical materials, studies and recommendations on decentralization reforms in Ukraine have been prepared, which play an important role in determining directions and methodological approaches to reform, ways to implement real decentralization in the country, including a clear division of powers and administrative tasks between state bodies and local authorities. It is recommended to develop specific strategies, in particular through the transfer of powers to the local level, aimed at revitalizing suburban and rural areas that are in economic and demographic decline. Strengthening the financial autonomy of local authorities and transparent redistribution of budget funds based on clear criteria and goals is important. The Ukrainian authorities were recommended to strengthen subsidiarity by giving local authorities powers over a significant share of state affairs and increasing the capacity of local authorities, in this sense it is necessary to act by promoting voluntary unification between local authorities in the order determined by the central authorities, i.e. take a course on mergers and intermunicipal cooperation. The authors of the article point to the special significance of the signing of the Roadmap for the implementation of the decentralization reform in Ukraine on May 20, 2015 by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the Ukrainian authorities. Its provisions were taken into account and embodied in the country’s reform legislation and specific practical reform activities. Complex documents of the Council of Europe regarding the democratic development of Ukraine are important for determining the methodology of reforming local self-government in our country. This refers primarily to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine for 2018–2021 (extended until the end of 2022). The article notes the positive impact of Ukraine’s cooperation with the Council of Europe in matters of local self-government reform. Thus, the given materials testify to the fundamental importance for Ukraine of cooperation with the Council of Europe, both for determining the doctrinal foundations and methodology of the decentralization reform, and for the practical implementation of the reform tasks.