EUROPEAN CONVENTION: MEETING OF ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING CITIES AND REGIONS.

Representatives of several associations of local and regional authorities gathered in Brussels on June 10 to discuss the Convention on the Future of Europe. This was the first encounter of a contact group chaired by MEP Ana Palacio (EPP, Spain), who is representing the Spanish Government in the Convention and is also a member of the Praesidium. The group also brought together members of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR), the Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Powers and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). Representatives of the EU Committee of the Regions and regional authorities from countries seeking EU membership were also in attendance. The following key issues were highlighted by the participants:- local and regional authorities that have legislative powers enjoy their own legitimacy, so should be considered and consulted separately from other civil society categories;- the next EU Treaty should include a...