Decentralization process mostly perceived as positive, new OSCE Mission to Skopje survey finds

SKOPJE, 26 September 2007 - Some 85 percent of municipalities positively assess the decentralization process that began in 2005, according to a new OSCE Mission to Skopje survey released today.

The decentralization process has given more authority to local bodies.

The 2007 Survey on Decentralization will be presented today in Ohrid to mayors, local and central government officials and their partners at a conference organized by the Association of the Local Self-Government Units (ZELS).

"The municipalities are confident in their potential and are eager to further develop their human resources and financial capacity to perform the extended scope of functions," said the Deputy Head of OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Natalya Drozd.

The survey also found that 72 percent of the population deemed the process of decentralization important. This opinion cuts across all age groups, education levels, social status and locations.

ZELS President Andrej Petrov said that in the past two years, the local self-government units overcame a number of challenges and have begun the second phase of the process, which focuses on the fiscal aspects of decentralization.

"This second phase means taking over the complete competencies in the area of education, culture, sport and social issues. The progress so far is visible not only to the local self-government units, but to the citizens as well," added Petrov.

The beginning of the first phase of decentralization was also assessed by the OSCE Mission in its 2006 survey. Another survey is planned for 2008.