A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, composed of rapporteurs Tanja Joona (Finland, ILDG) and Katrien Partyka (Belgium, EPP/CCE), will conduct the second part of the monitoring visit to Greece from 7 to 9 April 2025. The rapporteurs will hold political exchanges with national and local authorities in Athens and will also visit Kos Island, Leros and Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra to assess the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Greece since the previous monitoring report adopted by the Congress in 2015. They will be accompanied by Prof. Angel Moreno (Spain), President of the Group of Independent Experts (GIE) on the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
During this part of the visit, the Congress delegation will continue to focus on the follow-up given to Congress Recommendation 372 (2015) "Local and regional democracy in Greece". Particular attention will be paid to the situation of insular and mountainous municipalities regarding the distribution of competences and financial resources, local fiscal autonomy, and consultation procedures on matters affecting them.
Meetings and discussions are scheduled with the Head of the National Delegation of Greece to the Congress and Governor of Central Greece, as well as the mayors of Kos, Leros and Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra; the Minister of Interior; the Head of the Regional Asylum Office of Kos; and with a Greek member and Vice-Chair of the GIE.
Greece ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1989. Countries that have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European foundation of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities ensures that these principles are respected.
