EWI Vice President Wolfgang Klapper and HSS's Dr. Markus Ehm welcomed the Kyrgyz delegation, along with several other speakers and participants. Mirlan Bakirov, Vice Speaker of the National Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic gave a keynote speech on “Administrative Reforms in Kyrgyzstan: Past, Present and Future.” Pierre Amilhat, DG Devco Director from the European Commission reflected on the cooperation between the EU and Kyrgyzstan. In addition, Boris Tonhauser, Senior Project Officer, from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions gave an overview of the structure of municipalities in Europe. Decentralization, local services, taxes and funding of municipalities were addressed. Throughout the debate, multiple interlinking issues such as the equalization of revenues between municipalities and challenges for self-government were discussed. The conference followed on from a similar event EWI held last year, where a delegation from Kyrgyzstan presented and discussed investment opportunities in the country.

Image Credit: Charles Elkins