European Charter of Local Self-Government

The member States of the Council of Europe, signing this Charter,

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve ever greater unity between its members for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles which are their common heritage,

Considering that the conclusion of agreements in the administrative field is one of the means of achieving this aim,

Considering that local self-government is one of the fundamental foundations of any democratic system,

Considering that the right of citizens to participate in the conduct of public affairs is one of the democratic principles of all member States of the Council of Europe,

Considering that this right can be most directly exercised at local level,

Convinced that the existence of local self-governments endowed with real responsibility can ensure effective administration which is at the same time close to the citizen,

Considering that the protection and strengthening of local self-government in the various European countries makes a significant contribution to the construction of a Europe based on democratic principles and decentralised authority,

Confirming that this presupposes the existence of local self-governments endowed with democratically established by bodies with decision-making powers and which have wide autonomy in terms of their responsibilities, the procedure and methods for their implementation, and the means necessary for their implementation.