Brussels, 24/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - During the second day of work at the European Summit of Towns and Regions in Wroclaw (see EUROPE 8951), Poland's Prime Minister Marek Belka hailed the Constitution as the “first major text giving more power to the regional and local authorities”. He encouraged regional representatives “to do everything possible to convince European citizens to support the Constitution”. Following the “referendums in France and the Netherlands with great hope”, the prime ministers said: “We are keeping our fingers crossed for our French friends. We want them to approve the treaty”. President Kawsniewski sent a letter to the organisers of the Summit stating his “support for the Constitution”, Ralf Dutkiewiecz, Mayor of Wroclaw, said. In a televised message, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing called on the mayors and presidents of the region to explain the Constitution to their citizens. “Europe must be allowed to move forward. There must be a large zone of prosperity and activity for its citizens and here, naturally, the territorial and regional authorities have a considerable role to play”, the former French president said, going on to add: “This role is recognised by the Constitution and I hope that you will carry it out with all your energy, your competence and also your faith in Europe”. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing said “the risk for the Constitution is not that it will be rejected but rather than it will not be understood”. “Its opponents say it is complicated but, no, it is not!”, President Giscard d'Estaing exclaimed.