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Building bridges between Regions: The AER explores new opportunities for interregional cooperation

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Palma de Mallorca, 4 October 2004

Developing its key role of bringing the European Regions closer together, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) has risen to a new challenge: to develop North-South cooperation between the regions of the European continent and their neighbours in the Southern Mediterranean. The Region of Illes Balears-E, living up to its geographical role as a link between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean, hosted 80 political representatives of the regions of the AER‘Institutional Affairs’ Committee.

North-South cooperation, a new way to build stable societies

The AER, always convinced of the importance of developing links between the regions of the European Union (EU) and their neighbours, is keen to support the development of democratic processes in the Southern Mediterranean. “Our goal is to support each of our Member Regions in building bridges with other regions. The AER will place its network of 250 regions from 30 countries at the disposal of the regions in the Southern Mediterranean, in order to support these regions in building democratic structures that meet the needs of their citizens. It will achieve this through the development of concrete programmes of exchange of experience and know-how, working together with key partners such as the Untied Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The EU’s new neighbours will benefit from the dissemination of examples of best practice in regional government, and the subsequent strengthening of subsidiarity will benefit all their citizens” stated Peter Straub, President of the AER’s ‘Institutional Affairs’ Committee and President of the Committee of the Regions. “This initiative will build upon the hard work that the AER has undertaken for many years on the issue of EU enlargement. We will now use our expertise to the benefit of its new neighbours in the Southern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans”.

Structural funds: the AER appeals to the EU for continued support

The AER welcomes the intention of the EU to support regional development in the new Member States through a reform of its Structural Funds programmes. However, the AER highlights the importance of ensuring that continued support is given to the least developed regions of the old EU Member States (EU 15), which are currently classified as “Objective 1”. The AER, through its 20 years of work with the European Regions, understands the specific difficulties that many of these regions still face. The AER will therefore continue to lobby the European institutions to ensure that support is provided to regions from the “EU-15” that are facing specific handicaps in their development, resulting, for example, from their situation as peripheral or island regions.

Let’s ratify the Constitutional Treaty

At the same time that the EU plays a key role in regional development, the regions have an increasingly important part to play in the development of the EU. The AER has strongly influenced the development of the Constitution. “We have had great success in ensuring that the interests of the regions and their citizens were reflected in the final text of the treaty. We must now ensure that citizens fully understand the significance and relevance of the new Constitution for them, so that they are able to make informed decisions during the ratification process” highlighted Klaus Klipp, Secretary General of the AER. “The AER will assist its member regions in successfully informing their citizens about this important issue. At the beginnig of the making of the institutional treaty in the so call Convention, lead by Valery Giscard d’Estaing, we would not have dreamt of only achieving half of what regions and citizens have achieved now with the Constitutional Treaty”.

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Liberalisation of Services of General Interest: Regions claim the reinforcement of the principle of subsidiarity

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Zürich (CH), 7 April 2004

“Member States, regions as well as municipalities must continue to define the provision of Services of General Interest and to determine their concrete application. The competences of the regions and municipalities guarantee a provision of services which meet regional and local realities. Moreover, the municipalities’ responsibility means a democratically legitimated field responsibility” stated Peter Straub, President of the Institutional Affairs Committee of the Assembly of European Regions (AER)*, at the conference organised on this issue by the AER in Zürich today.

Many areas of the work of regional authorities are affected by current initiatives at the European level to liberalise public services. There is concern amongst the regions that any moves towards enforced liberalisation of public services would limit their decision-making powers over their key areas of their work. Such a move would undermine the basic principles of democracy. Directly elected assemblies raise taxes and make decisions about how these funds should be used. The principle of subsidiarity needs to be reinforced, so that local and regional authorities can continue to make decisions about public services and remain accountable to the electorate for those services.

* Peter Straub is also President of the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg and President of the Committee of the Regions.

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Conflict between Georgia and Adjara: The ARE calls for peaceful negotiations instead of a military intervention

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Strasbourg (F), 16 March 2004

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) today has called upon the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and the leader of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Aslan Abashidze to start immediately an open negotiation in order to defuse the emergent crisis in the country. “We are alarmed by the escalating tensions between the central and regional governments.

The use of military forces should be ruled out. It is definitely not the way forward to overcome a political and constitutional crisis.

The Caucasian region is already struck by high political instability and growing economic and social problems. Bloodshed should be avoided by all means” said Klaus Klipp, the AER Secretary General. “As in all democracies, such a conflict must be tackled by a genuine dialogue and above all by a parliamentary debate over the constitution.

In the case of Georgia, the lack of a clear definition of regional autonomy in the Georgian Constitution is at the heart of the issue. The AER regards the acceptance of a federal model as the only solution to overcome the current tensions as the appropriate and the only way forward to achieving long term stability in the Georgian state” he highlighted.

The AER supports the Council of Europe’s proposal for immediate peaceful negotiations in order to define the scope of the autonomy of Adjara. These should take place under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

The AER is also prepared to bring in all its expertise in addressing the division of power between central and regional governments. The AER is convinced that its member region of Adjara would welcome such an initiative.

The AER also believes that eventually in cooperation with the Congress of local and regional authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE) a successful supporting mission could be established.

For more information: [email protected]

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Anchoring regions in the European Constitution

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Strasbourg (F), 4 July 2003

The Presidium of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), meeting in Strasbourg today, evaluated the work of the European Convention and expressed satisfaction on its initial results.

In effect, Part I of the Constitution regarding the Definition and Objectives of the Union took into consideration a large number of the amendments formulated by the AER intended to anchor the Regions in this new Treaty and to reinforce their role in the new European architecture.

The AER commends in particular the limitation of EU competencies, the best formulation of the subsidiarity principle yet extended to regions, the recognition of the role of regional and local authorities, and most importantly the preservation of cultural diversity in Europe guaranteed by the draft constitution.

However, two of AER’s provisions were not incorporated in the Constitution presented to the European Council in Thessaloniki:

• One relating to the possibility of Regions to bring cases before the European Court of Justice when the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality have been transgressed;

• Another relating to the principle of “loyal cooperation” which must equally include the Regions.

“Much progress has been obtained to reinforce the role Regions in Europe. However, we must continue to pursue our influential work with the members of the European Parliament and of the national Governments to ensure that Regions are integrated as full partners into the Union under the final version of the Treaty to be agreed at the next Intergovernmental Conference” said Liese Prokop, President of AER. Prokop added, “our work with the Convention must be pursued as well. Our actions continue with Part III of the Constitution regarding the politics and functioning of the Union, which is currently under debate and concerns all European Regions. AER must be particularly vigilant regarding its final draft”.

The AER Presidium adopted in this judgment a series of amendments on matters concerning public health policies, social policies, economic and social cohesion, culture, and education formulated by Committee guidelines. These propositions will be addressed to the Presidium and to members of the Convention. They will also be promoted by AER with respect to the Intergovernmental Conference.

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The AER welcomes the revised draft of the Constitutional Treaty presented by the Convention

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The latest draft of the EU Constitution includes three key positions of the AER, which we have consistently brought to the attention of the Convention members.

These are:

  • Subsidiarity: this principle has been extended and now explicitly refers to both “the regional and the local level” [Article I-9(2)] – the new extended definition now requires the Union to assess whether policy objectives can be sufficiently achieved at the regional or local level, before taking action in areas not within its exclusive competence – the AER has been steadfast in demanding for the inclusion of the regions within subsidiarity. In all previous texts, subsidiarity has only applied between the Union and the Member States
  • Where the Constitution provides a role for national parliaments, this role is explicitly granted to “both chambers” in the case of bicameral parliamentary systems (‘early warning system’) [paragraph 7-Protocol on the role of national parliaments in the EU]
  • Each chamber can request their respective Member State to bring an action before the Court of Justice for infringement of the principle of subsidiarity [paragraph 7-Protocol on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality]

These revisions constitute significant steps towards the constitutional recognition of a role for the regions within the Union. The AER will continue to promote the regional position to the Convention.

For more information: [email protected]

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Respect for cultural and educational diversity within the future Constitution: J. Chirac’s response to the AER

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In a letter to President Chirac on May 6th, the AER President Liese Prokop called on him and his government to maintain their “firm position in defending cultural diversity”.

In an answering letter to the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac fully supports the AER position on the necessity to maintain a firm stance in the area of cultural diversity within the ongoing discussions on the Constitutional Treaty. President Chirac himself emphasised this French priority in a letter to President Giscard d’Estaing. He wrote, “the importance that France places on maintaining the current measures in the area of the common commercial policy requiring the agreement of the member states in order to conclude any international agreement involving the trade in cultural and audiovisual services, educational services as well as health and social services”.

Therefore, the French government and the AER support the position of maintaining the current Article 133.6 of the Nice Treaty in the future Constitutional Treaty rather than Article 24-part II that is presently under discussion.

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AER warns that Convention articles endanger diversity in culture and education

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Strasbourg, 7 May 2003

The President of the AER, Vice Minister-President of Lower Austria Liese Prokop, expressed to the European Convention the firm opposition of the European Regions against any move that gives the European Union exclusive competence when negotiating and concluding agreements on trade in cultural and educational services, in the context of the common commercial policy.

President Prokop expressed “deep disappointment” that the new article 24 (Part II), that would replace article 133 of the Nice EC Treaty, practically submitted the sensitive sectors of culture and education to the same treatment as ordinary commercial commodities.

Referring to the strong opposition of the Regions and the Regional Culture and Education Ministers against any further liberalisation of the aforementioned service sectors under GATS, she stressed that “only the existing provisions prevent the EU from pushing forward further liberalisation in the present round of negotiations.”

In a letter to President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac, she called on him and his government to maintain their “firm position in defending cultural diversity”.

Further points by President Prokop: 

  • deplores the removal of the requirement for common accord and joint conclusion of negotiations as it could lead to harmonisation of the internal policies of the Member States; 
  • stressed the importance of preserving unanimity voting under Article 151 EC, as an important safeguard against the erosion of the principle of cultural diversity; 
  • highlighted the significance of protecting and supporting public radio and television, European films and the wider spectrum of the European cultural infrastructure.

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Does the Draft European Constitutional Treaty meet the expectations of the regions?

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Brussels, 4 April 2003

With the theme – Governance closer to the citizens of an enlarged Europe – the political Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), which brings 50 regional representatives from 28 countries together, is meeting today to examine the first draft articles of the Constitutional Treaty. While acknowledging the progress the Convention has made in creating the current draft articles, the Bureau reiterates the regional demand for the integration in the future Constitutional Treaty of four amendment proposals of the AER. 

  • Regional identity and local and cultural diversity
    “We welcome the inclusion of the notion of “local and regional identity” in article 9, but we nonetheless demand that it be amongst the basic principles of the Union, thus within the first articles of the Treaty”, stated Liese Prokop, AER President, “Even though cultural diversity is refereed to in article 3, we nonetheless feel it must also be integrated within the basic values of the Union”, she added. 
  • The Principle of Subsidarity
    The principle of subsidarity as proposed in article 8 does not meet our demands as it does not extend to the regional level. Mr. Peter Straub, President of the Institutional Committee of the AER, argued for a review of the question of the division of competencies, “The distribution of competencies as formulated in the draft Treaty is not in favour of the application of the principle of subsidarity”. 
  • The Protocol on Subsidarity and Proportionality
    While welcoming the protocol on subsidarity and proportionality as it responds to AER concerns to a certain extent, the Bureau requests that the Convention integrates two amendments. First, in systems with bicameral parliaments, to allow each chamber the right to participate in an “early warning system”. Second, to give both national chambers of parliament, as well as regions with legislative powers, the right to bring actions before the European Court of Justice.To help bring about a final Treaty that will be acceptable to the citizens of Europe, the representatives of the AER commit themselves to reinforce their work towards the Convention.

For more information: [email protected]

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European Constitution: regions express some reservations on the first draft

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Strasbourg (F), 21 February 2003

At its meeting on 21st February in Strasbourg, the AER Presidium made some reservations on the sixteen draft articles of the European Constitution, although a global vision of the text is not yet available. “The common roots of the European diversity constitutes one of the Union values. Therefore, the cultural diversity should appear among the founding values of the UE drawn up under Art. 2 of the draft Constitution” said Liese Prokop, President of the AER.
The AER, which leads a campaign in favour of the preservation of the cultural diversity in Europe, is particularly against the integration of the services of general interest in the field of Culture and Education in the GATS negotiations. The AER will be very vigilant on the reformulation of the Art. 133, 149 et 151 that constitute at present a guarantee of the prerogatives of the member states in these fields.

Furthermore, the AER members have unanimously judged problematic, and even dangerous, the concept of “national identity” (Art.1-2). Adrien Zeller, Vice-President of the AER, has proposed to replace it with “national specificities” which better expresses the diversity recovered by the identity of a country.

Peter Straub, President of the Institutional Committee of the AER, asked to have further discussion on the question of the competences and their repartition (Art. 10 & 11), notably during the next plenary session on 27th – 28th February. “The distribution of competences as formulated in the draft Treaty is not in favour of the application of the principle of subsidiarity”, said Mr Straub. He nevertheless underlined the existing consensus between the members of the Convention on the necessity to root the future Constitution in the regions. He finally announced a conference “The Regions within the European Constitution” jointly organised by the AER and the Bertelsmann Foundation to follow up the dialogue with the members of the Convention and to make them know the proposals of the European regions (Brussels, 11th April).

For more information: [email protected]

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EU/GATS/Cultural Diversity: Regions rally behind Jacques Chirac

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Strasbourg, 4 February 2003

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) supports the recent proposal of French President Jacques Chirac, who argued for the adoption of an international Convention on Cultural Diversity. For the South-Tyrolean Minister Bruno Hosp, chairman of AER’s Culture and Education Committee, the French initiative reiterates the demands of the 2002 Brixen Declaration of European Regional Ministers in charge of Culture and Education. “The Regions are strongly opposed submitting culture, media and education to unlimited commercial interests and liberalisation as pursued by GATS.”

The Regions insist on exclusion of these sectors, predominantly public services, from the ongoing GATS-negotiations and are critical of the EU-Trade Commissioner’s pressure on the member states for more offers and requests for liberalisation. The AER is also prepared to fight against attempts by the Commissioner Viviane Reding which would make culture more than a “matter of assistance” (domaine d’appui) of the European level.

Bruno Hosp also called on the members of the EU-Convention to resist all attempts to introduce qualified majority voting in the decision making on culture, media and education in the new Constitutional Treaty… The Regions see in the unanimity vote as an effective safeguard against further commercialisation of culture and education. Bruno Hosp concluded: “The exclusive competence for culture, media and education should remain the prerogative of the member states or, as it is in some cases, of the regions. This competence and the principle of unanimity vote should be comprehensive and not be restricted simply for matters of international commercial Agreements such as GATS.”

For more information: [email protected]

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Assembly of European Regions (AER) in favour of peaceful solution to Iraq-crisis

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The AER, as one of the voices of the people in the regions of Europe, supports all initiatives that lead to a peaceful solution of the Iraqi-crisis. Lower Austria Vice-Minister-President Liese Prokop, in her function as AER-President declared that a predominant majority of the population definitely opposes a military intervention. This is also indicated by opinion polls.

AER-president Liese Prokop voiced the opinion that further actions must be covered by United Nations’ decisions. She reminded those in charge on all political levels that it was the regions, which through active collaboration at their level, laid the foundation for tolerance, stability and peace in Europe.

“Today’s Europe of the Regions, “old” or “new”, has learned its lesson from its long history of violent clashes between states, peoples and cultures”, Liese Prokop underlined. “We are afraid that a war against Iraq will lead to an endless sequence of even more violence. In view of the possible human casualties, and those of infrastructure and cultural heritage, as well a deterioration of international relations, it seems advisable for all sides to exhaust all possible diplomatic measures.”

For more information: [email protected]

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European Parliament denies direct access of Regions to European Court

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The European Parliament at its Strasbourg -Plenary session on the January 14, 2003 adopted the Napolitano-report on the role of regional and local authorities in Europe. The report itself is regarded by the regions as a positive step forward in strengthening the role of the local and regional authorities. In the substantial matter of subsidiarity it falls short of the regions’ expectations.

The Parliament blocked with 268 against 235 votes all proposals to give regions and territorial entities the right to go to the European Court of Justice in case they are convinced their prerogatives and rights have been infringed by community acts.

With this narrow vote the European Parliament declared itself in opposition to one of the major demands put forward by the AER and even supported by the Parliament’s own Committee on Constitutional Affairs to be inserted in the constitutional treaty presently prepared by the Convention.
The amendment to the report of Giorgio Napolitano on the role of the regional and local authorities was tabled by Méndez de Vigo and supported by German deputies Joachim Wuermeling and Ursula Schleicher and Guido Bodrato from Italy on behalf of the PPE-DE Group allows regional access to the Court of Justice only under the authority of the member State concerned, according to their constitutional or national legislation.

The decision of the Parliament reflects basically the preoccupations of the Spanish Government, which is strongly opposed against direct access of its regions and autonomous Communities to European Institutions. There has also been some opposition to the regional demand by the European Commission, as stated in the debate by Commissioner Barnier.

AER-Vice-President Peter Straub, President of the Baden-Wuerttemberg State-Parliament expressed deep dismay and concern about the decision, describing it as a serious set back for all initiatives, which struggle to build a more democratic European Union that should be rooted in the regions and based on full involvement, participation and recognition of regions and local authorities. Mr. Straub nevertheless expressed the hope that the decision will not predetermine the deliberations of the Convention, which in his opinion is bound to take a more constructive and democratic view.

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Election results for the AER: Mrs Liese Prokop has been re-elected President

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Naples (Campania), 29 November 2002

Liese Prokop, Vice-Minister President of Niederösterreich (Austria), was re-elected President of the Assembly of European Regions for a two year mandate. During President Prokop’s first mandate she remained particularly committed to the development of cooperation between the European interregional organisations, particularly in the context of the activities of the Convention on the Future of Europe and enlargement. The Summit of interregional organisations in Linz in March 2002 was held at her initiative.
Liese Prokop has also supported initiatives encouraging dialogue between European Regions and on crucial issues such as the future of European cohesion policy post-enlargement, the liberalisation of public services in culture and education under GATS negotiations, aging in European populations and the quality of elderly care or the involvement of young people in politics and public affairs.

Adrien Zeller, President of the Regional Council of Alsace (France) and Ivan Jakovcic, President of the Region of Istria (Croatia) were elected as AER Vice-Presidents. Wilhelm Schnyder, State Councillor for the Canton of Valais (Switzerland) was elected Vice-President Treasurer. Peter Straub, President of the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg (Germany) and Stig-Erik Westmark, President of the International Commission for Västmanland (Sweden) were elected as Presidents for the Institutional Affairs Committee and the Social cohesion, Social affairs and Public health Committee respectively.

Brian Greenslade, Leader of Devon County Council (United Kingdom) and Bruno Hosp, Assessore for Culture for Bozen-Südtirol (Italy) were respectively re-elected Presidents of the AER Committees on Regional policy, Spatial planning, Infrastructure, Environment & Tourism and on Culture, Education & Training, Youth, Media & Information technology, Sport.

Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe, Minister-President of Wallonie (Belgium), replaced Jean-François Humbert, President of Franche-Comté (France) as President of the AER Eurodyssey programme, which allows young Europeans to gain professional experience abroad.

Luigi Anzalone, Assessore for Finance and Mediterranean regional policy of the region of Campania (I), Presidium member, was entrusted with the development of North-South cooperation and Mihai Mugerel Arbagic, President of the County of Calarasi (RO) was entrusted with relations with Eastern Europe.

The new AER Presidium will be responsible for enhancing the political role and the place of the Regions in the future structure of Europe, closer to the citizens, and as of January 2003. They will also aim to set up new mechanisms for interregional cooperation leading to assistance in the process of enlargement and to harmonise relations between the east, west, north and south of Europe.

For more information: [email protected]

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The Campania Region welcomes the Assembly of European Regions to Naples

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Naples, Campania (I), 22 November 2002

For the first time ever, an Italian region will host the General Assembly of the AER with its 250 members regions from all over Europe, at the invitation of Mr. Antonio Bassolino, President of the Campania Region. 400 political representatives from the European regions are expected in Naples for the 28th and 29th of November.

While the Convention on the Future of Europe begins to rewrite the Constitutional Treaty of the European Union, the Assembly of European Regions will convene its members in Naples to formulate proposals that will bring Europe closer to its citizens. On the threshold of enlargement to more than 20 Member States, the participants will also discuss the future of structural and cohesion policies in an enlarged Europe which may allow them to be competitive and to respond to the expectations of their populations.

In close co-operation with the Campania Region, the AER wishes also to offer, during these two days, numerous opportunities to set a foundation for sustainable partnerships between the regions of the East and West, North and South. The seminar on the theme of “Regional Partnerships for Internationalisation in the Framework of EU Development Policies” will be a particularly select moment where regional delegates will be able to exchange their know-how and experiences on matters of co-operation (28 November, 9:00-13:00). This will also be an occasion for the AER to better determine the upcoming challenges of enlargement and to identify the new needs of the regions in matters of interregional and trans-border co-operation. Such efforts will allow the AER to make them know to the European authorities and to better adapt European programmes.

Another important event: the election of the President, the members of the Presidium and the Bureau of the AER. The new elected team will have the task, for 2003, of pursuing the work of the AER and to increase the political role of the regions in view of the Intergovernmental Conference in 2004.

A press conference will be held Friday, the 29th of November at 14:00, in the Mostra d’Oltremare, the conference centre of Naples (Pavillion 6).

For more information: [email protected]

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Consensus between the Regions of Europe for a sustainable European Union

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At Stuttgart, the President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) took up position on the future European Constitution. “The development of regionalism in Europe may continue if the Regions act together. What can be said for the Member States of the European Union, can also be said for the Regions: consensus is needed in order to maintain diversity in regional identities. The aim is to ensure that the Regions are fully borne in mind in the European Treaties and that the internal organisation of Member States is respected along with that of the Regions and Local Self-Government”, declared Dr Palmer, Minister for European Affairs for Baden-Württemberg-D and President of the AER Institutional affairs Committee, at the AER Presidium meeting.

On 24th and 25th June 2002, the AER will present its conception of the future European Constitution in Brussels at the Convention on the future of Europe. The AER represents the largest regional group in Europe with 250 member Regions.

“A sustainable European Union requires initiative and creativity at all levels”, stated Dr Palmer, Minister of European Affairs. In the context of enlargement, consideration and action in a regional perspective must be developed and reinforced. The AER speaks in favour of greater coordination between the Regions. “Throughout the whole of Europe, the search for wide consensus is decisive. This is the only way for the Regions, which seek to incorporate their status as Nations into the European Constitution in an appropriate manner, to ensure that their interests – legislative competences for example, be taken into consideration”, concluded Dr Palmer.

The AER emphasises to the Convention that a bottom up Europe can only be fully understood if the Regions and Local authorities are specifically mentioned in the Treaty. In the future, the distribution of competences must lay out clear indications and be respected in the interests of the Regions. The main political fields of Member states such as internal organisation, regional structures, local self-government, culture and the application of Community regulations must be guaranteed by the Constitutional Treaty. The Regions expect the Treaty to put essential values and decisions in priority and to define the principles governing competences such as the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity. “The principle of subsidiarity included in the Treaties must also mention national and local levels”, declared Liese Prokop, AER President and Vice-Minister President of Niederösterreich. The Regions also expect European solidarity to be re-defined and EU assistance to focus on the Regions present clear weaknesses.

Enlargement is one of the key themes for the AER. The Danish government has placed this issue on its list of priorities for the EU Presidency (2nd half 2002). “We are in favour of rapid progress for enlargement. Initial accords may be signed before the end of this year”” said Liese Prokop. “The AER insists on the need to differentiate between applicant countries depending on individual progress. The “Copenhagen criteria” remain essential for all countries. Countries meeting criteria can join the EU without any hesitation” she added. In this perspective, the AER will co-organise, a Conference entitled “Enlargement in a local and regional perspective” with the regional and local representations in Brussels, on 5th July 2002 in Brussels (B).

The AER also decided to act in the field of regional twinning, which, although existing in various forms, has no legal nor institutional status. The AER institutional affairs Committee is entrusted with creating a working group on regional twinning in the aim of distributing information and promoting the concept and seeking formal recognition with the European institutions. The Presidium is also in favour of a “Year of local and regional twinning” at European level.

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