Brussels, 11/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - Eurocities, the network that brings together 113 major European cities, with 83 from current Member States and 20 from candidate countries, welcomed the results of the first debate of the European Convention on the regional and local dimension of European integration (see EUROPE 8 February p 6). The organisation's Secretary General, Catherine Parmentier, explained in a press statement that, "vast consensus now exists in favour of greater recognition and involvement of local and regional authorities in European governance". He was particularly pleased with "the wide support among Convention members" for the Committee of the Regions and Eurocities' proposals. She indicated that recognition of the principles of the European Charter for local government, systematic consultation of the local and regional authorities by the European Commission and national governments, as well as access for all citizens to high quality services of general interest (which are in part managed by the cities and regions, she pointed out). At the end of the plenary debates, Catherine Parmentier highlighted the fact that Vice President Jean-Luc Dehanene had indicated that Members of the European Convention had demonstrated a common will to recognise the role played by the local and regional levels in the European model and that this role should be reflected in the future Constitutional treaty.