One of the main steps taken by Azerbaijan after gaining independence became creation of municipalities (local self-government bodies). Those structures are usually created for assisting democratization process of state executive mechanism on local scale. Main aim behind establishing municipalities is to attract capable, initiative people to settlements of local problems and that is why they are empowered with certain competences. From the other side, Azerbaijan as a young state that took the course of integrating into Europe needs experience of European partners. With this purpose on October 25, 2004 “Caspian – Partnership for the Future” Public Union and German Foundation named after Conrad Adenauer held joint seminar with the participation of experts from Germany.

Main objective of the seminar was the exchange of work experience between German representatives and native local self-government bodies. Having only five year experience in the sphere of municipality activities study of German work practice would help Azerbaijan strengthen the role of municipalities in society. Besides, the practical work of German local self-government bodies is not only interesting for Azerbaijan because of their two century history. Also huge experience of Eastern Germany in overcoming outcomes of communist past is not less important in Azerbaijan where this issue is actual today.

Participants of the seminar are – heads and employees of local municipalities from Ganca, Shaki, Lankaran, Jalilabad, Xachmaz and Baku. They were acquainted with the activity of foreign self-government bodies (German municipalities) and told other seminar participants about their own problems and how they are solved.

Head of Town Council Bureau attached to Leipzig Ober-burgomister Gvido Scheneb made a speech on “Local self-government during transformation period”. He highly assessed the work of Azerbaijani municipalities. Along with this he mentioned that there are a range of activities where long term German experience would be useful. For example, 7500 local self-government organs in Germany settle the problems as employment through organizing labor fairs in local districts; hold monitoring of ecologic situation and demographic setting.

Head of “Center for regional development in Azerbaijan” professor Chingiz Ismailov told the seminar participants about the problems and perspectives of local self-governance development in Azerbaijan.