Local Governments Join Forces
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Public Affairs Section
Zagreb, Croatia
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS JOIN FORCES
Zagreb, June 7, 2006 -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Croatia Mission Director, William Jeffers, will address participants at a Local Government Cooperation Conference on June 8, 2006, at the Hotel Westin, beginning at 10 a.m.
The purpose of this conference is to highlight how local governments can cooperate to provide cost-effective services in such areas as utilities, education and social services. The conference will bring together Croatia's leading mayors, representatives from local and regional governments and non-government organizations to exchange ideas on local government cooperation. Two local government clusters (Crikvenica, Cavle, Kamanje, Krk, Ugljan and Pasman, Rijeka, Slatina, Slunj, Split) will discuss their collaboration to provide cost-effective services. The issue of local government cooperation is particularly important in terms of EU pre-accession funds that encourage local governments to organize joint projects to access funds.
USAID is the primary assistance organization of the United States Government. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $407 million to Croatia (much of it through USAID programs) to strengthen democratic institutions and assist in postwar reconstruction and the return of refugees, to support de-mining and economic development, and to provide educational and training opportunities. The U.S. has also provided guidance and support to the Croatian judicial and military sectors to further Croatia's integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.