Brussels, 23/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Assembly of the Regions of Europe deplore the fact that the Napolitano Report on the role of the regions in the European Union does not grant regions direct access to the Court of Justice (EUROPE of 15 January, p.5). Having debated the issue at length, Parliament had decided to come down in favour of a right for regions to defend their prerogatives before the Court, but under the patronage of Member States, depending on national legislation. ARE stresses in a press release that this patronage goes against its main demands and, were the Convention to accept that idea, would not allow for a genuine European democracy to be built anchored in the regions. Other than this issue, ARE believes that "the report as a whole I a step forward in strengthening the role of local and regional authorities".