Azerbaijan, Baku, April 14 / Trend , A. Huseynbala/
Azerbaijani parliament's Committee on Regional Issues chair says part of the municipalities may unite until the next elections.
"Municipalities unite from the viewpoint of population and territory in some countries. We believe municipalities should solve this issue themselves," New Azerbaijan Party website quoted committee chair Arif Rahimzade as saying.
Azerbaijan launched municipalities in 1999. There are 2,765 municipalities in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan will hold municipal elections in autumn of 2009 and parliamentary elections in spring of 2010. Previous municipal elections were held in 1999 and 2004.
Rahimzade said the municipalities which will unite must be located close to each other. "The important is that they will have more population, broader financial opportunities and will do much social work." He added.
He said work is underway to increase municipalities' powers and the bill on this issue has been adopted at a first reading.
"But there are some disagreements about the bill. Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has made proposals in this regard. The bill is being designed by taking into consideration all proposals. I think powers of municipalities must be enhanced," Rahimzade said.
He said some issues must be taken into account while enhancing municipality powers.
"Whether municipalities are ready to assume the responsibility must be determined. Admittedly, municipalities have a poor material and technical basis and financial opportunities. It is impossible to grant them powers until these problems are addressed," he said.
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