The Association of Palestinian local Authorities’ Delegation has participated in “Cities & Regions for Development Cooperation” Forum which was held in Brussels. The Forum is co-organized by the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions, with the presence of APLA’s President Eng. Musa Hadid, APLA’s executive committee member Ghassan Qabaha, and APLA’s Executive Director Eng. Abdallah Anati.
EU organizes this 4th “Cities & Regions for Development Cooperation” Forum in order to strengthen the policy dialogue between the EU institutions and Local and Regional Authorities from both Europe and partner countries and among them. During the Forum, more than 600 local government representatives discussed many topics about local and regional partnerships for sustainable urban development.
On the sidelines of the conference, APLA’s delegation met the President of European CoR Mr Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ. Both parties discussed the municipalities unions’ roles in general, and APLA’s role in particular. Eng. Musa Hadid affirmed the reality of Palestinian LGUs situation on the ground, stressing the importance of supporting the Palestinian LGUs, especially in building municipalities staff capacities and providing Palestinian local authorities with more political support to carry out their responsibilities.
APLA convened another meeting with The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), in presence of the director of legislative work Laurent Thieule, and the head of sector Gurdun Niedorf and ARLEM member Filippo Terruso, it was agreed on hold next meeting of ARLEM executive bureau in Ramallah, Palestine. ARLEM representatives confirmed their willingness to support APLA by implementing development projects to improve the quality of provided services to citizens.
During APLA delegation meeting with the head of the sector for the European commission Middle East branch Gerhard KRAUSE, and the cooperation officer for international Aid to Palestine Laura MASCAGNA, APLA president confirmed the importance of EU support for the Palestinian State, and the need to strengthen it, and the need to mobilize 
more European support at all levels. Also, he stressed the sensitivity of EU role during the last year in providing the needed financial support to UNRWA, especially after the American decision to cut off UNRWA funding, asking to continue covering the shortage of UNRWA budget to ensure sustaining its services for the Palestinian Refugees.
APLA Executive Committee member Ghassan Qabaha reviewed Barta’a Municipality experience in partnership with EU in implementing “Enhancing Local Authorities' contribution to governance and development processes in Palestine” project. On his part, APLA Executive Director Eng. Abdallah Anati clarified APLA plans for coming period, especially launching legal and technical support unit for LAs, especially those located in Area “C”. In addition, Eng Anati emphasized on APLA’s role to support Palestinian Local Authorities in developing local development projects. The head of the sector for the European commission Middle East branch KRAUSE confirmed his openness to provide more support to Palestinian Local Authorities in the near future.