On the left: "The issue of migration is central to our democratic institutions because it forces us to consider the best way to guarantee essential rights and freedoms while ensuring that our societies feel peaceful, secure and respectful of their diversity", Xavier Cadoret, Congress Vice-President. On the right: photo of Xavier Cadoret, Congress Vice-President and Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

@congress.coe.int at the Ministerial Conference on Migration in Strasbourg, 10 December.

#CoECongress Vice-President Xavier Cadoret highlighted the key role of local authorities in migrant reception, integration and fostering living-together.

👉More: go.coe.int/IxXLs

#CoECongress President Marc Cools:“One of the most devastating attacks on #Ukraine yet - another ruthless act in an utterly unjustifiable invasion. The @congress.coe.int stands in solidarity with #Ukraine.”

#UkraineWar

Congress supports Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 7 November 2025

Today we mark 3 decades since #Ukraine joined the @coe.int Over these years #CoECongress has supported #Ukraine efforts to strengthen democracy, local self-government, and good governance 
We welcome 🇺🇦 progress towards 🇪🇺 membership
Read more👉 shorturl.at/yd0HN

🎙️ On October 15th, #CoECongress member Melanie Lepoultier reaffirmed that health is a fundamental human right at the Conference on the Protection of Health in Strasbourg.
Read more 👇
go.coe.int/VG3KU

@coe.int

📅 40 years ago today, the European Charter of Local Self-Government was opened for signature — a cornerstone of #LocalDemocracy across Europe.
🏛️ Signed by all 46 @coe.int states, it still empowers communities today.
🎥 Watch & share!
#CoECongress

On October 13th in Brussels, #CoECongress celebrated 40 years of the European Charter of Local Self-Government with
@ccre-cemr.bsky.social
Congress members shared their visions for the new democratic pact.
🎙️ Lucija Jusup (Youth Delegate)
🎙️ Gobnait Ní Mhuineacháin (Councillor in County Cork)

🎙️On 8 October, @Veronique Bertholle, the Congress Spokesperson on Youth, took part in the Malta Youth Event, highlighting the continued evolution of the European Charter on Youth Participation.
#YouthParticipation #CoECongress

#CoECongress President Marc Cools: "I am outraged by the assault with a knife on Iris Stalzer, Mayor of #Herdecke in Germany. My thoughts are with her and her family; I strongly hope she will recover from her wounds. A rising tide of violence against local politicians must be stopped."

“I strongly condemn Russia's drone attack targeting civilians in Shostka, Sumi region in #Ukraine 🇺🇦.These drone attacks must lead to increased pressure on Russia and greater support for Ukraine.” - #COECongress President Marc Cools

#CoECongress President Marc Cools : “I condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on a synagogue in #Manchester . Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, the Jewish community and the Manchester authorities.”

“In yesterday's elections, Moldovan people reaffirmed their will to stay on the path of European integration. The Congress will continue to support Moldovan authorities on this path with decentralisation and public administration reforms.” - #CoECongress President Marc Cools

#COECongress President Marc Cools :
“Russia’s massive strike this morning on Kyiv & other cities killed civilians and destroyed homes. This terror must stop. 🇺🇦Ukrainians deserve peace and justice.”
@coe.int #ukraine

#COECongress President Marc Cools :”Russia’s massive drone & missile strike on Ukraine last night took again innocent lives. I firmly condemn this brutality— it must end. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine🇺🇦”
#UkraineWar

Congress Vice-President Dalman Eek: "Sexism in Politics is a Threat to Democracy" - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Siġġiewi, Malta 17 September 2025

💬“Sexism and violence in politics are structural and systemic issues which exclude women from political life...” – #COECongress Vice-President @dalmaneek.bsky.social at the 2025 Gender Equality Commission Annual Conference in Siġġiewi, #Malta 🇲🇹

Read more 👇 go.coe.int/DR5rj

Congress Secretary General: “Innovation is crucial for our democratic security” - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Vienna, Austria 17 September 2025

On 17 September, #COECongress Secretary General @mathieu-mori.coe.int addressed the Innovation in Politics Awards Conference in Vienna 🇦🇹

💬“Our work at the @coe.int is to make sure that democratic backsliding does not lead to the defeat of democracy."

Read more ➡️ go.coe.int/YojAR

Congress at OECD: Effective migrant integration at local level requires fostering positive attitudes and mindsets - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Paris, France 15 September 2025

On 15 September, Nazia Rehman, Chair of the #COECongress SIC Committee, took part in a workshop on “Inclusive Growth: How Cities Can Support People with a Migrant Background”, co-organised by the @coe.int Development Bank the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social

Read more 👇 go.coe.int/uaT0g

Turkish mayor detained in corruption probe as opposition faces crackdown Hasan Mutlu among dozens held in Istanbul raids, the latest move in wave of arrests targeting CHP mayors

#CoECongress President Marc Cools : “I am concerned about the arrest of mayor of Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district which looks like the continuous purge against opposition mayors in Türkiye. We hope to receive further details.” 👇

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

New manual to equip Ukrainian municipalities with tools for boosting participation and accountability - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Kyiv, Ukraine (Hybrid) 12 September 2025

On 12 September, the #COECongress completed a training of trainers on open government for members of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, together with the @opengovpartnership.org.

Read more 👇 go.coe.int/4VWwg

@coe.int #Ukraine

🌍Ahead of International Day of Democracy on 15 September, #COECongress President Marc Cools has made the following statement:

💬“On this #InternationalDayofDemocracy, we reaffirm our conviction that democracy is built from the bottom up"

Full statement ➡️ go.coe.int/iu4xb

@coe.int

Türkiye, Ukraine, Georgia, youth participation and New Democratic Pact: Congress President exchanges views with the Committee of Ministers - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 10 September 2025

On 10 September, #COECongress President Marc Cools presented during an exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers.

He underlined key actions concerning #Türkiye, #Ukraine, #Georgia, #youthparticipation and the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

Read more 👇 go.coe.int/IN7mi

@coe.int

#CoECongress President Marc Cools: “I strongly condemn a new atrocity committed by Russia in Ukraine 🇺🇦 where the Russian strike killed 24 pensioners and injured 19 others. This brutality must stop”.

Council of Europe Congress President welcomes release of Congress youth delegate from detention in Türkiye - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 8 September 2025

#COECongress President Marc Cools welcomes the release of Congress youth delegate Enes Hocaoğulları under judicial control until the end of the trial.

💬"I reiterate our call on the Turkish authorities to drop all charges against Enes."

Full statement ➡️ go.coe.int/YMJud

@coe.int

Ukraine: With Congress support, students, parents and teachers take part in developing local school budgets - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 8 September 2025

🚀 On 4 September 2025, the #COECongress met online with representatives from 16 Ukrainian municipalities to launch a new programme on inclusive School Participatory Budgeting (School PB) for 2025–2026.

Read more ➡️ go.coe.int/968nV

#democracy #ukraine @coe.int

#CoECongress President Marc Cools: “Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine must end. Tonight’s strike on Kyiv and a government building, causing many victims, is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine. 🇺🇦”

“Silencing youth is silencing democracy” – Council of Europe Congress statement following fact-finding visit to Ankara - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 5 septembre 2025

On 4-5 September, a #COECongress delegation led by its President Marc Cools concluded a fact-finding visit to Ankara, #Türkiye.
💬"we have not heard anything that could justify the criminal prosecution of Enes Hocaoğulları..."
Full statement ➡️ go.coe.int/ozuzb
#freedom4enes @coe.int

#CoECongress President Marc Cools: “Deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving the Elevador de Glória in Lisbon, a historic tourist attraction. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected.”

@portgualcoe.bsky.social

Council of Europe Congress mission to Türkiye to visit detained youth delegate - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 1 September 2025

#COECongress President Marc Cools will lead a fact-finding visit to #Türkiye on 4–5 Sept 2025, following the arrest of Congress youth delegate Enes Hocaoğulları, after his intervention at the Congress plenary session in March.

More ➡️ go.coe.int/acy2X

#freedom4enes @coe.int

Congress Spokesperson deplores crackdowns on NGOs in Georgia - Congress of Local and Regional Authorities - www.coe.int Strasbourg, France 29 August 2025

#COECongress Spokesperson @scdicksonmla.bsky.social has made the following statement:

💬“I deplore the decision of the Georgian authorities to freeze the accounts of several leading NGOs in #Georgia ..."

Read the full statement➡️: go.coe.int/4xPea

@coe.int #Democracy

Gudrun Mosler-Törnström: #COECongress Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights: “Concerned after hearing about the recent demolitions in Lozenets district of Stara Zagora, #Bulgaria. 👇

🤝💙💛Our final project in the Centre of Expertise series:

“Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support #Ukraine's recovery” 🇺🇦

The end goal? Lasting peace, resilience & EU integration. 🇪🇺

The #COECongress stands united in Ukraine’s recovery.

🔗https://go.coe.int/5eQCq