General information, tasks, and organizational structure
The Ministry of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities (MPARLA) was set up on July 1st, 1994. The main tasks it fulfils are as follows:
- to work out and to take part in implementing public administrative reform strategies
- to put into effect government decentralization
- to take part in working out and implementing governmental policies in the field of tourism, patenting, standardization, and scientific-technical information
The MPARLA supervises and controls the Lithuanian Standards Board, the Lithuanian Information Institute, the State Patent Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania, the Lithuanian Tourist Board, the Civil Servant Training Centre, and the Training and Rehabilitation Centre for State and Local Civil Servants in Druskininkai.
Activities
Self-government reform
To initiate and implement self-government reform, to create a legal basis for public administration and self-government, to harmonize the distribution of functions between different levels of authority as well as to give public administration closer ties with citizens - these are important tasks of the MPARLA. In this regard, the main prioritized areas of activity of the Ministry are as follows: formation of municipal property, a system of local government finance, new criteria for setting up municipalities, implementation of administrative-territorial reform, institutional development of counties, etc. In the framework of the above-mentioned tasks, the MPARLA has worked out and taken part in implementing a number of legal acts.
Formation of the Civil Service
On regaining independence in 1990, Lithuania inherited a system and principles of civil service which were not compatible with the needs of an independent state. Therefore the formation of a new civil service was started practically from zero. A big part of this work has been carried out by the MPARLA. With this end in view, the staff of the MPARLA drafted the Officials of the Republic of Lithuania and a number of secondary legal acts regarding requirements for qualification, principles of certification, order of training of civil servants, etc. A data bank on civil servants was created and began functioning.
Foreign relations
The MPARLA currently maintains relations with ca. 23 countries and 8 international organizations. The main partners among countries are Denmark, Spain, France, Sweden, Finland, Germany; and among international organizations the EU, PHARE and USAID. The main aims of co-operation are the improvement of public administration and development of self-government.
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Mr Kestutis Skrebys Minister of Public Administration Reforms and Local Authorities.
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