“To make the notion of a Europe of citizens live”, Bavarian minister Eberhard Sinner calls for “competencies and responsibilities to be defined at all levels”

Brussels, 08/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on behalf of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) at the third International Conference on Federalism on the theme of “Building Harmony in Diversity, Sharing Good Practices” at the European Parliament on 3-5 March in Brussels, the Bavarian minister for European Affairs Ebarhard Sinner declared that, “whatever you called it, federalism, subsidiary, decentralisation, it involved the principle of the best way of mobilising creative forces, not only in support of economic growth but also for social balance, cultural creativity and sustainable development”. A press released noted that federalism and subsidiary had to become the main fundamental principles of the EU. Mr Sinner stated that if they wanted “to make the notion of a Europe of citizens live, and if we are to take the fears of citizens seriously, about an excessive concentration of powers in Brussels, there is only one answer: competencies and responsibilities have to be defined at all levels”. (Info: http://www.cor.eu.int ).