Local Government Diplomacy
Local Government Diplomacy

Summary/Abstract: The increase in the international activity of Polish local governments after 1989 was influenced by external and internal factors. The global process of decentralisation of international relations and European integration were of particular importance. Legal regulations concerning foreign cooperation of local governments were initially created within the Council of Europe and then in the European Union. An important role was played by the establishment of the Committee of the Regions in 1994 on the basis of the Treaty on European Union and numerous international associations bringing together territorial authorities from various parts of the world. Local authorities had access to forums to discuss and present positions regarding issues of concern to them. The principle of subsidiarity in the EU assumes the implementation of European tasks not only at the level of individual Member States, but also by local and regional structures.

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