The Association of Local Self-Government Units of Macedonia (ZELS) marked Thursday its 40th anniversary.

"The need for joint, coordinated work of local authorities has been ZELS' driving power since its establishment. It is the institutional voice of the municipalities, regardless of their number and structure. The consensus on local matters remains ZELS' steady principle," ZELS Chairman and Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski said.

ZELS's aim is for Macedonia's municipalities to meet the European standards and serve as an example in the region in terms of efficiency, transparency and local development, he added.

Vice-Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski praised ZELS for its success to voice the needs and meet the objectives of the local self-government.

The Government in cooperation with municipalities is planning to work on construction of industrial, tourist and green-economic zones, Pesevski said.

"I believe that this organization will keep working for the benefit of all municipalities," said Minister of Local Self-Government Nevzat Bejta.

EU Ambassador Aivo Orav underlined the significance of ZELS, as well as the preservation of its financial and political independence.

"ZELS represents the interests of municipalities in the country. It has set an excellent example in various stages of the power decentralization process, making most of the decisions by consensus. ZELS nourishes the slogan -- dialogue between smaller and larger municipalities and we shall continue to support the organization in the future," Orav said.

US Ambassador Paul Wohlers said that since its founding ZELS had improved the living standard and surpassed the differences in terms of political affiliation and geography. The economic development and attraction of investments have been its priorities, he added.

Swiss Ambassador Stefano Lazzarotto said he considered ZELS to be the vital stakeholder in supporting the power decentralization process in Macedonia. Switzerland will keep supporting the organization, he added.

In honor of the jubilee, ZELS presented plaques of recognition and gratitude to Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski, chair of the Parliament Committee on Local Self-Government Xhevad Ademi and MP Andrej Petrov for their support of the organization, as well as to Ambassadors Orav, Wohlers and Lazzarotto.