Euro-Mediterranean conference on decentralisation and regional development

A Euro-Mediterranean conference on "Decentralisation and Regional Development" was held on Thursday in Tunis. The conference focused on regional development and decentralised co-operation. Different development experiences were presented, on this occasion, with a view to vitalising  the partnership relations and twinning with the local communities of the European Union, in such a manner as to support Tunisia's efforts of decentralisation and local governance. Several issues were discussed during the first session, including the relationship between local democracy and political transition and the regional skills within local powers. The papers presented focused on the issue of regional development in Tunisia which needs reflection and continuous and efficient dialogue in order to carry out the necessary reforms. Participants looked at the notions of democracy and local autonomy as well as the model of local democracy, stressing the need to achieve regional balance in matters of development, one of the main claims of the January 14 Revolution. The attendees coming from several regions raised issues pertaining to the challenges which confront the local communities in matters of administrative and financial management, local taxation and mobilisation of resources, the issue of skills and human resources, urban development planning, boosting and backing up the decentralisation policy, the identification of the needs in development and in investment, territorial cutting up and solidarity between local communities. Interior Minister Habib Essid stressed, at the opening of this conference, the importance to carry out successfully the democratic transition in Tunisia and achieve a good economic growth so as to face up to the present challenges, including in first place unemployment and the declining investment. This conference is held on the eve of the meeting, in Tunisia, of the bureau of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), as a sign of support to democratic transition in the country. It is organised by the Training and Support to Decentralisation Centre (CFAD) stemming from the Interior Ministry, in association with the Planning and International Co-operation Ministry and the collaboration of the National Federation of Tunisian Cities (FNVT) and ARLEM.