A post-monitoring visit of the Congress of the Council of Europe took place in Kiev on 12 March. AER was represented at the meeting by one expert of its Academic Center, Mr Enrico MARTIAL.

Chaired by the vice-minister for Regional Affairs, Mr Vyacheslav NEHODA, with the participation of members of the National Parliament, of representatives from the ministries of Regional Affairs and finance, and of leaders of Ukrainian regional and local associations, the meeting focused on financial autonomy and voluntary merger of municipalities.

Some progress on decentralisation has already taken place and a constitutional reform is undergoing at the national Parliament about a territorial reform. Regions and local authorities will receive more competences. Whilst the boundaries and the number of regions will not change, the number of local authorities will be reduced.