In his communication to the 32nd Session, Anders Knape, (Austria, SOC), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities, highlighted the collaboration of the Chamber with national associations and the overall political dialogue concerning the monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the observation local elections:

 'Monitoring is not about policing, it is about dialogue, peer to peer collaboration to improve governance and democracy at the local level ', he declared. He also stressed that, in a context of an unprecedented influx of refugees, cities are in the front line and have to ensure the welcoming and integration of migrants. 'The Congress – and its Chamber of Local Authorities in particular – has a key role to play in relation to these issues, because of our special position of proximity with our citizens, who have to face these issues on a daily basis,' he stated. He also welcomed the actions of the Congress to fight corruption at the grassroots’ level, especially the preparation a new Code of Conduct for local elected representatives and appointed officials as well as the collaboration with the European Committee of the Regions on corruption issues. 

Source: http://www.coe.int/t/congress/default_en.asp