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The EASTR

For over 30 years, the EASTR organizes annual meetings, "STRs European Days" or "Euro-Mediterranean Observatory of public territorial action" which have gathered about 3000 State territorial representatives - prefects, governors, Regierungspräsident , voïvodes or commissioners in 40 different European cities, through 20 countries. The European Days focus on the exchange of experience and professional best practices. The Observatory for its part seeks to promote better coordination of public and private actors for the development of territories.

Presentation & Activities

The objective behind the European Association of State Territorial representatives is to allow exchange of professional experiences between State Territorial Representatives from European countries (whether belonging or not to the E.U). The European Days help to multiply the contacts between them, to facilitate a better mutual knowledge of the territorial public administration and the implementation of public policies on the territory.


The Association offers an exceptional frame (and the only one at this level) for high-ranking public officials to meet, exchange ideas and work together, since their functions usually keep them inside their national boundaries.

For this reason, the EASTR intends to contribute to the information and permanent training of these high-ranking officials, by giving them deeper knowledge of each other’s administrative cultures, through public officials responsible for national authorities in the internal affairs field.

The EASTR contributes to circulate better practices from the community law point of view.

Another aim is to encourage the exchange of information and experience among member countries’ national representatives, so that European policies and regulations are better applied within their state boundaries.

Exchanges of civil servants between countries are made possible thanks to the direct contacts built up during the meetings by the territorial representatives, as well as cooperations, twinnings, etc....

History

30  years of existence.

Launched as an experiment in 1993, the Days have met with such success that they have been organised year after year since.

1994 – 7 to 8 July  -– Rome – Italy : Ist EUROPEAN DAYS : "The Role of State Territorial Representatives in Europe"

1995 – 29 to 30 June – Rome – Italy : IInd EUROPEAN DAYS : "State Territorial Representatives and local authorities"

1995  - 10 November - Brussels - BelgiumLiaison Committee

1996 – 15 April - Madrid - SpainLiaison Committe

1996 - 4 to 5 July - Paris - France : IIIrd EUROPEAN DAYS : "Territorial Representatives faced with the necessary adaptation of the State"

1996 - 2 December - Helsinki - FinlandLiaison Committee

1997 – 28 April - Wiesbaden - GermanyLiaison Committee

1997 - 26 to 27 June -  Rome - Italy : IVth EUROPEAN DAYS : "Administration at intermediate levels : the challenge of proximity"

1997 - 20 October - Brussels - BelgiumLiaison Committee

1998 – 27 April - Stavanger - NorwayLiaison Committee

1998 - 2 to 3 July - Lugo – Spain : Vth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The State Territorial Representative facing crisis"

1998 - 26 October - Munich - GermanyLiaison Committee

1999 – 12 April - Wroclaw - PolandLiaison Committee

1999 - 17 to 18 June - Oulu - Finland : VIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "Territorial representatives and local elected authorities"

1999 - 18 October - Manchester - Great BritainLiaison Committee

2000 – 27 March - Uppsala - SwedenLiaison Committee

2000 - 29 to 30 June - Strasbourg - France : VIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The State Territorial Representative and Europe"

2000 - 30 October - Gent - BelgiumLiaison Committee

2001 – 26 March - Coïmbra - Portugal Liaison Committee

2001 - 5 to 6 July -  Rome – Italy : VIIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The State Territorial Representative,  between Europe and territorial communities"

2001 - 22 October - Freiburg im Breigsau - GermanyLiaison Committee

2002 – 8 April - Toledo - Spain Liaison Committee

2002 - 27 to 28 June - Oslo – Norway : IXth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The State Territorial Representative and security in periods of crisis"

2002 - 21 October  - Paris - FranceLiaison Committee

2003 – 7 April - Kiruna - SwedenLiaison Committee

2003 - 3 to 4 July - Wroclaw - Poland : Xth EUROPEAN DAYS : "Role of the State territorial representative in Europe"

2003 - 27 October - LuxembourgLiaison Committee

2004 – 16 February - Malaga - SpainLiaison Committee

2004 - 1 to 3 July - Munich - Germany : XIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "STR’s role in civil crisis management"

2004 - 29 0ctober - Genoa - ItalyLiaison Committee

2005 - 8 April - Middelburg - The NetherlandsLiaison Committee

2005 - 7 to 9 July - Birmingham – Great Britain : XIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : “Role of the STR in the field of social cohesion”

2005 - 24 October - Kiev and Lougansk - Ukraine Liaison Committee

2006 – 7 April - Lausanne - SwitzerlandLiaison Committee

2006 - 5 to 8 July - Paris - France : XIIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : “The STR in the management of rural space”

2006 - October - Brussels - Belgium Liaison Committee

2007 – 23 March - Paphos - Cyprus :  Liaison Committee

2007 - 4 to 7 July - Castile and Leon - Spain : XIVth EUROPEAN DAYS : “Security, citizen and the  STR”

2008

I - 29 to 31 May - Venice - Italy : XVth EUROPEAN DAYS : “Role of the STR in the European integration”

II - 23 to 25 October - Paris and Dijon - France : 1st European Observatory of State Territorial Action : “Relations between STR, territorial elected representatives and development agencies”

2009

I - 7 to 9 May - Stockholm - Sweden : XVIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The STR and water management"

II - 22 to 24 October - Leuven - Belgium : 2nd European Observatory of State territorial Action : "The STR and the regional fact"

2010 - 30 september - 2 October - Lausanne - Switzerland : XVIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The STR facing the economic and financial crisis : assessment and lessons"

2011 
I - 19 to 21 May - Budapest and Lake Balaton - Hungary : XVIIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The STR in the relations between central power and regions with a measure of autonomy"

II - 27-29 October - Marrakesh - Morocco : 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Observatory of State Territorial Action : "Sustainable urban development"

2012 - 15 to 17 March - Paris - France :  XIXth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The STR facing the metropolitan fact"

2012 - 28 September - Bologna - Italy Steering Committee

2013 - 6 to 8 June - Bergen - Norway : XXth EUROPEAN DAYS : "Between development and environment what regulation for the STR ?"

2014 - 24 January - Rome - ItalySteering Committee

2014 - 12 to 14 June - Liège - Belgium : XXIst EUROPEAN DAYS : "Security and energy : role of the STR towards the citizens"

2014 - 21 November - Paris - FranceSteering Committee

2015 - 28 to 30 May - Istanbul - Turkey : XXIInd EUROPEAN DAYS : "Profession STR"

2015 - 30 October - Montreux - Switzerland Steering Committee

2016 - 21 to 23 April - 's-Hertogenbosch & Maastricht - The Netherlands : XXIIIrd EUROPEAN DAYS : "STR and innovation" 

2016 - 18 to 19 November - Antwerpen - BelgiumSteering committee

2017 - 15 to 17 June - Oulu - Finland : XXIVth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The STR facing threats to security" 

2017 - 17 to 18 November - Rust - Germany : Steering committee

2018 - 31 May to 2 June - Lyon - France : XXVth EUROPEAN DAYS : "The STRs role on public involvement  of the infrastructures or sensitive events"

2018 - 16 November - Banska Bystrica - SlovakiaSteering committee

2019 - 13 to 15 June - Leuven - Belgium : XXVIth EUROPEAN DAYS : “Smart region: What possibilities for STRs to promote the use of Big Data and means of digitalization? Development of their own role in this context?”

2019 - 7 to 9 November - Gödöllö - HungarySteering committee

2021 (Days of 2020 year) - 28 to 30 October - Florence - Italy : XXVIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : “The role of the STRs in the cities of art security and in the heritage protection” AND “The role of the STRs in the Covid19 crisis management”

2022 - 7 to 8 October - Marseille - France : Steering committee

2023 - 13 to 15 April - Malmö - Sweden : XXVIIIth EUROPEAN DAYS : “The consequences of the war in Ukraine – how does it affect our countries?”

2023 - 14 to 15 October - Le Brassus - Switzerland : Steering committee

 

Growing Europeanization.

From the first Days, as can be seen from the programme and list of participants, the event took on a truly European character, due as much to the number and diversity of countries represented as to the European Commission’s participation.

The Franco-Italian origins of the whole idea have not at any time lessened the European character of the event.

Right from the start, the number of countries represented has continued to increase and the delegation sizes have grown in proportion to the population sizes of states represented (apart from the host country, which is traditionally and understandably over-represented).
The European character is further illustrated by the systematic inclusion, in the Day’s programme, of a theme concerning the life of the European Union and by the fact that a European Commission representative regularly takes part in Liaison Committee meetings. In addition, during the actual Days, one or two people from the Commission, at directorial level, have always been invited to speak.

Lastly, the General Secretariat, based in Paris, operates at the service of all participating countries.

A European Association.

During the first years, the Days were organised from one session to the next, with the success of the last session pushing towards organisation of the next one. The «European Days for State Territorial Representatives» are now not just an interesting idea but also a unique opportunity for contacts and exchanges : such is in the opinion of national representatives, who have participated in some sessions, and also of representatives from the European Commission (who have expressed this publicly more than once).

This is why it has been decided by the member countries that these Days will be given a structure that will be more stable and also more equitable. The member countries pay a national annual contribution, unique set price (allowing an undetermined number of participants) of 4 500 euros. Federal status countries such as Germany or Switzerland pay an annual contribution of 2 000 euros (per member Land or Canton)

Eventually, the « European association of State territorial representatives –EASTR » has been created in 2000, in order to give a juridical basis to the European days. The Association is based in Brussels.

Member countries

For 30 years now, the “European Days” have assembled territorial representatives from more than twenty European States. 

The «Days» bring together public officials whose function is to represent their Government and see that laws are applied in an area of their country’s territory, even though they may not all have the same power invested in them : some may represent a central State (e.g. Italy), others a decentralised State
(as is the case with Germany, for instance, where they represent a Land). Central administration executives also participate to the European Days, as well as experts.

The Board of Directors brings together prefects, governors, regierungspräsidenten, regional directors of government offices, district commissioners, Queen’s commissioners, civil governors from the following countries :

Belgium
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Switzerland
Turkey

Some of them are already grouped together in national associations :  this is the case for Finland, France, Italy, Norway and Turkey.

Euro-Mediterranean countries also join in our debates : Morocco.


Ruling Organs - 01- 01 -20234

EXECUTIVE BOARD:

President: Mr. Saffet Arikan BEDÜK, Former Governor, General President of the Association of Turkish Governors - Turkey 

Secretary General : Mrs. Nicole KLEIN, Prefect – France

Vice-president: Mrs. or Mr.

Treasurer: Mrs. or Mr.

Secretary: Mrs. or Mr. 

 

 

Members of the Board:

ACPHFMI (Association du Corps Préfectoral et des Hauts Fonctionnaires du Ministère de l’Intérieur) – France, represented by, Mr. Eric FREYSSELINARD, Deputy Vice-President of the ACPHFMI, Prefect, counselor for internal affairs at the Spanish embassy and Mrs. Nicole ISNARD, Prefect (h), vice-president of the association of the prefectural body and senior officials of the Ministry of the Interior in charge of External Relations

ANFACI (Associazione Nazionale dei Funzionari dell’Amministrazione dell’Interno) – Italy, represented by its President and State Commissioner for the Sicilian region, Mr. Ignazio PORTELLI

TID (Association of Turkish governors) – Turkey, represented by its president, Mr Saffet Arikan BEDÜK, former Governor

 

 

Mrs. Ina ADEMA, King’s Commissioner, Province of Noord Brabant – The Netherlands

Mr. Roland BERDOZ, Prefect of district Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut – Canton of Vaud – Switzerland

Mr. Mark WEINMEISTER, President of Kassel district – Land of Hessen – Germany

Mr. Frank SCHERER, Governor, Ortenau county - Germany

Mr. Denis MATHEN, Governor, province of Namur – Belgium

Mr. Tom Cato KARLSEN, Governor, County of Nordland – Norway 

Mr. Marko PUKKINEN, Director General, Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland  – Finland

Mr. Sandor SZABO, Commissioner of administrative government, Nograd – Hungary

Mr. Mohamed FAOUZI, Secretary General, Ministry of the Interior - Morocco

 

Associated members

IHEMI - Institut des Hautes études du ministère de l'Intérieur – France

NKE - National Public Service University – Hungary

 

Members of honour

Mrs. Tora AASLAND – Norway

Mr. Thierry AUMONIER – EASTR managing director 1994-2015

Mr. Herman BALTHAZAR – Belgium

Mrs. Solange CARMONA – EASTR secretary general 1994-2015

Mr. Andreas CHRISTODOULIDES – Cyprus

Mr. Michel FORET – Belgium

Mrs. Ann-Cathrine HAGLUND – Sweden

Mr. Sven LINDGREN – Sweden

Mr. Kari MARKLUND – Sweden

Mr. Carlo MOSCA – Italy

Mrs. Véronique PAULUS DE CHATELET – Belgium

Mr. Hans J. ROSJORDE – Norway

Mrs. Pierrette ROULET-GRIN – Switzerland

Mr. Charles RICQ – Switzerland

Mr. Eino SIURUAINEN – Finland

Mr. Lodewijk DE WITTE - Belgium

Mr. Janusz ZALESKI - Poland

Statutes

Statutes EASTR - April 14, 2023

ASBL (nonprofit organization) of Belgian law constituted in accordance with companies and associations code of March 23, 2019.

First title - Denomination – Registered office.

ARTICLE 1.  The association is called: “European association of State territorial representatives -EASTR”

ARTICLE 2.  Its registered office is situated 1 rue de Louvain, 1000 Brussels. It may be transferred by decision of the Board of Directors to any other place in the country. Any modification of the registered office must be published in the month of its date, in the annexes of the Belgian Official Gazette.

Its e-mail address is: "contact@aerte-asso.org".

Title II - Purpose.

ARTICLE 3.  The purpose of the association is:

- organization of the “European Days of State territorial representatives”;

- exchange of experiences between the State territorial representatives in Europe;

- organization of debates or information or training actions for these territorial representatives;

- multiplication of contacts between them and of opportunities for meetings and exchanges;

- encouragement of bonds of conviviality between the State representatives in Europe and, possibly, in the rest of the world;

- development of contacts with national, regional or local governments, with the European Union (EU) and with other organizations of the same type, as well as the production of reports addressed to them.

The association may perform all acts relating directly or indirectly to its purpose. It can give its assistance and take an interest in any activity similar to its purpose.

The association can receive participations and donations of all kinds: public subsidies, participations or others, subject to the prescriptions of the Code of Companies and Associations of March 23, 2019 and any other text concerning donations inter vivos or testamentary.

Title III –Members.

ARTICLE 4.  The number of members of the association is not limited. Its minimum is set at three.

Members can be individuals, associations, States or regional or local governments. These States and governments freely designate their representatives.

The members are territorial representatives in practice or retired.

Officers from central government departments responsible for territorial administration may also be admitted as members.

 Organizations of administrative science or universities, oriented to questions of territorial administration can have the quality of member. They freely designate their representatives.

ARTICLE 5.  Admissions of new members are decided by the Board of Directors.

Persons or organizations of any kind who have helped the association achieve its purpose may be admitted as honorary members.

ARTICLE 6.  The resignation, suspension and exclusion of members are done in determined manner by the provisions of article 9:23 of the code of companies and associations of March 23, 2019. As such, the member concerned is able to present his observations before any decision concerning him.

ARTICLE 7.  The resigning, suspended or excluded member, as well as the heirs or assigns of the deceased member, have no right to the resources of the association.

They may not claim or require any statement, rendering of accounts, affixing of seals, or inventory.

Title IV - Contributions.

ARTICLE 8.   Members are not required to pay any entry fee. The Board of Directors may set an annual contribution, the amount of which shall not exceed the sum of 50 €.

The members provide the association with the active support of their abilities and their dedication.

The Board of Directors fixes each year the amount of the national contributions for the functioning of the association.

Members may increase the amount of their participation on a voluntary basis and keep the General Secretariat informed.


Title V - General Assembly.

ARTICLE 9.  The General Assembly is composed of all members.

ARTICLE 10. The General Assembly is the sovereign power of the association. It has the powers expressly granted to it by law or these statutes.

Are in particular reserved to its competence:

1/ amendments to the statutes;
2/ appointment and dismissal of members of the board;
3/ approval of budgets and accounts;
4/ voluntary dissolution of the association;
5/ the exclusions of members.

ARTICLE 11. At least one general meeting must be held each year.

The association may hold an extraordinary General Assembly at any time by decision of the Board of Directors or at the request of at least one fifth of the members. Each meeting will be held on the day, time and place mentioned in the convocation.

All members should be invited.

ARTICLE 12. The General Assembly is convened by the Board of Directors by ordinary letter addressed to each member, if necessary, remotely, at least fifteen days before the meeting, and signed by the secretary General on behalf of the Board of Directors.

The agenda is mentioned in the convocation.

Except in the cases of statutory modification or exclusion of a member, provided for in articles 9:21 and 9:23 of the code of companies and associations of March 23, 2019, the Assembly can deliberate validly on points which are not mentioned on the agenda.

ARTICLE 13. Each member has the right to attend the Assembly. He may be represented by a proxy. Each member can only hold one proxy. 

ARTICLE 14. The Assembly must be convened by the Board when one-fifth of the members request it.

Similarly, any proposal signed by one-fifth of the members must be placed on the agenda.

ARTICLE 15. The General Assembly is chaired by the president of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 16. All members have equal voting rights at the General Assembly, each having one vote.

Resolutions are taken by a simple majority of votes present or represented, except in cases where it is decided otherwise by law or these statutes.

In the event of equality of votes, that of the president or of the director who replaces him is decisive.

ARTICLE 17. The General Assembly can only validly deliberate on the dissolution of the association or the modification of the statutes in accordance with provisions of articles 2:109 to 2:113 of the Companies and Associations Code of March 23, 2019.

ARTICLE 18. The decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in a register of minutes signed by the president and a member of the board. This register is kept at the head office where all members can read it but without moving the register.

All members or third parties proving an interest may request extracts signed by the president of the Board of Directors and by a member of the board.

Any modification to the statutes must be published within one month of its date in the annexes of the Belgian Official Gazette. The same applies to any appointment, resignation or dismissal of a member of the board.

Title VI – Administration - Daily management.

ARTICLE 19. The association is administered by the Board of Directors, appointed by the General Assembly for a period of one year.

Each State, regional or local government represented at the European Days suggests one to three members of its delegation for appointment to the Board of Directors. The Secretary General of the European Days attends the Board of Directors with an advisory voice. 

The Board of Directors may invite external personalities to attend its meetings.

ARTICLE 20. Each member of the Board of Directors may be represented by a member of his delegation in case of impediment.

In the event of a vacancy during a mandate, delegation in question may be represented by another member pending the next General Assembly. 

Retiring members of the board are eligible for reappointment.

ARTICLE 21. The Board appoints a president, possibly a vice-president, a treasurer and a secretary from among its members.

If the president is unable to attend, his duties are assumed by the vice-president or the oldest of the members of the board present.

ARTICLE 22. The Board meets when convened by the president or the secretary. It can only rule if the majority of its members are present or represented.

Its decisions are taken by an absolute majority of votes; when there is a parity of votes, that of the president or member replacing him is preponderant. They are recorded in the form of minutes, signed by the president and the secretary and entered in a special register. The extracts that must be produced and all other acts will be signed by the president or the secretary.

ARTICLE 23. The Board of Directors has the most extensive powers for the administration and management of the association.

It may in particular, without this enumeration being exhaustive, make and pass all acts and all contracts, compromise, acquire, exchange, sell all movable and immovable property, mortgage, borrow, conclude leases of any duration, accept all legacies, subsidies, donations and transfers, renouncing all rights, conferring all powers on representatives of its choice, members or not, represent the association in court, both defending and asking. 

It can sign agreements with organizations of all kinds, including official organizations (governments, international organizations, etc.).

It may also receive all sums and securities, withdraw all sums and securities on deposit, open all accounts in banks and the Postal Check Office, carry out all operations on these accounts and in particular any withdrawal of funds by check, order of bank transfer or transfer or any other payment order, hire any bank safe, pay all sums due by the association, withdraw from the post office, customs, railway company letters, telegrams, parcels, registered, insured or not; cash all money orders as well as all summonses or postal receipts.

Waive all contractual or real rights as well as all real or personal warranties; give release, before or after payment, of any privileged or mortgage registrations, transcriptions, seizures or other impediments; execute all judgments, compromise.

The Board appoints, either itself or by proxy, all agents, employees and staff members of the association and dismisses them; it determines their occupations and salaries.

ARTICLE 24. he Board of Directors may delegate the management of the association, with the signature relating to this management, to the person in charge of the General Secretariat of the European Days, as managing member of the board.

The Board sets the powers and fees of the managing member of the board.

The accounts of the association, may be submitted each year to a certified public accountant or a company auditor.

ARTICLE 25. Legal actions, both as claimant and defendant, are initiated or supported, in the name of the association, by the Board of Directors, on the proceedings and diligence of the president or the managing member of the board.

ARTICLE 26. The members of the board do not contract, because of their function, any personal obligation and are only responsible for the execution of their mandate. This is exercised free of any cost.

ARTICLE 27. The secretary, and in his absence, the president is authorized to accept, on a provisional or definitive basis, the donations made to the association and to complete all the formalities necessary for their acquisition.

Title VII - Internal regulations.

ARTICLE 28. If internal regulations appear useful, they will be presented by the Board of Directors and submitted for approval by the General Assembly. Modifications to these regulations may be made by a General Assembly, ruling by a simple majority of the members present or represented.

Title VIII - Various provisions.

ARTICLE 29. The financial year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 each year.

ARTICLE 30. The accounts for the past financial year and the budget for the following financial year will be submitted annually for approval to the ordinary General Assembly.

ARTICLE 31. In the event of dissolution of the association, the General Assembly will appoint the liquidator(s), determine their powers and indicate the allocation to be given to the net assets of the company's assets.

This allocation must be made in favor of a charity.

These decisions as well as the name, profession and address of the liquidator(s) will be published in the annexes of the Belgian Official Gazette.

ARTICLE 32. Anything that is not explicitly provided for in these statutes must be regulated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code of Companies and Associations of March 23, 2019.

Of which act signed and agreed in Malmö on April 14, 2023.