On April 1-4 a Russian delegation headed by Governor of Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko took part in 36^th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. This session demonstrated that the Congress managed to retain a constructive and result-oriented approach to its functioning thanks to the efforts of the Russian delegation. Representatives of Russian regional and local authorities facilitated that the Congress worked for palpable improvement of living standards in the regions of the member-states of the Council of Europe and more efficient functioning of regional and local authorities for the benefit of their residents. We are convinced that such an approach aimed at fruitful cooperation for real results should be applied in all other bodies of the Council of Europe.