International Day of Democracy: joint statement by the embassies of Switzerland and Sweden
The embassies of Switzerland and Sweden in Albania issue a joint statement to mark the International Day of Democracy – 15 September – and emphasise the importance of an autonomous local government.
On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, Switzerland and Sweden reaffirm their long-standing partnership with Albania to advance the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. Today, we highlight the essential role of local government in democratic development and reaffirm our close cooperation with Albania as we work hand in hand to support and strengthen democracy at the local level — grounded in the principles of rule of law, participation, transparency, accountability, and subsidiarity.
An autonomous local self-government is the cornerstone of any healthy democracy. Municipalities deliver essential public services, and they are the closest link between citizens and the state — ensuring participation, civic engagement, and local accountability.
In democratic systems, including in Albania, Switzerland and Sweden, the powers, functions, and structure of local self-government are enshrined in the constitution. Albania’s constitution guarantees local autonomy by stating that local government units are legal entities with full rights to govern local issues independently. This is in harmony with Switzerland’s and Sweden’s own experiences which means that governing decisions are best carried out by the level of effective government that is closest to the people.
As Albania continues to advance on its path toward European Union membership, the strengthening of local democracy and the effective functioning of local self-government are not only essential to a healthy and vibrant democracy, but also core elements of the EU accession process. This includes alignment with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, ratified by Albania, and relevant principles of the EU acquis, which requires candidate countries to demonstrate effective engagement with civil society and local authorities in policy formulation and implementation.
In this regard, we underscore the importance of ensuring that any reforms affecting local government are developed through a structured, transparent, and inclusive dialogue — with the meaningful participation of local authorities, civil society, and the broader public. Such dialogue strengthens legitimacy, builds trust, and enhances the sustainability of reforms.
We welcome Albania’s efforts to pursue reforms in local governance and decentralization, which we have been supporting for many years. Considering these investments, we call for continued efforts to reinforce the legal and institutional foundations of local democracy, and to ensure that the voices and needs of all communities are heard.
A resilient and inclusive democracy — rooted in strong local governance — is essential not only for delivering better services to citizens, but also for building the trust and institutional capacity needed for Albania to successfully meet the challenges and responsibilities of EU membership.
We remain committed to supporting Albania in this journey, as we have done for over 25 years on decentralisation, and to working together to strengthen democratic institutions at all levels of government.
